niversily    o(    Calilornia,    Los    Angeles 


The 


Fritz  L.  Hoffmann  Collection 


A  Gin  ol 

Olga  Mingo  Hoffmann 


/  yj  '' 


Digitized  by  the  Internet  Arcliive 

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The    Rescu^. 

rirje  page    177. 


THE 


Cap  t I  V  e     p  o  y 


T  E  i\i\A    Del    Fuego: 


AN  AUTHENTIC  NAERATIVE  OF  THE  LOSS  OP  THE  SHIP 

MANCHESTEE,  AND  THE  ADVENT  UKES  OF 

THE  SOLE  WHITE  SUKVIVOE. 


By  Mrs.  P.  A.  IIANAFORD, 

AUTHOR  OF  "  TnE  YOUNG  CAPTAIN,"  "  LIFfi  OF  ABRAHAM  LINCOLN,"  ETC. 


FOUR     ll_L.USTRATIONS. 


New   Vork : 
PUBLISHED   BY   CARLTON   &   PORTER, 

SUNDAY-SCUOOL   UNION,   200   ilULISEUEY-STEEET. 


Entered  according  to  Act  of  Congfi-ess,  in  the  year  1867, 

BY   CARLTON   &    PORTER, 

in  the  Clerk's  Office  of  the  District  Court  of  the  United  States  for 
the  Southern  District  of  New  York. 


URL 


OC, 


PREFACE. 


The  interest  always  felt  in  narratives  of  ship- 
wreck and  adventure,  and  the  desire  to  add  a 
little  to  the  limited  knowledge  already  obtained 
of  Terra  del  Fuego,  are  deemed  sufficient  apology 
for  presenting  this  volume  to  the  public. 

The  narrative  is  received  as  unquestion- 
ably correct  by  all  who  are  acquainted  with 
the  young  lad  whose  sad  experience  is  here 
recorded.  Having  had  a  personal  acquaintance 
with  him  from  childhood,  numbering  him  at 
one  time  among  my  pu])ils,  it  is  my  privilege 
to  bear  testimony  to  his  good  nature  and  good 
sense.  He  was  from  early  youth  fond  of  read- 
ing, and  it  was  with  a  mind  unusually  well 
stored  for  one  of  his  years  that  he  departed  on 
this  disastrous  voyage  with  his  parents.  It  is 
therefore  reasonable  to  presume  that  lie-  saw 


6  PKEFACE. 

correctly  all  that  passed  arouiiJ  liim,  and  has 
narrated  truthfully  those  facts  of  which  he  took 
cognizance. 

The  story  has  been  penned  with  mournful 
satisfaction  by  one  who  would  here  bear  friend- 
ly testimony  to  the  virtues  of  the  departed ; 
and  who,  in  submitting  it  to  the  reader,  does  so 
with  a  grateful  recognition  of  that  Hand  which 
delivered  the  youthful  captive  out  of  the  power 
of  barbarians,  and  restored  him  to  his  child- 
hood's land  once  more. 

It  should  be  added  that  the  "  Captive  Boy  " 
has  recently  been  a  soldier  in  the  Union  Army, 
and  received  in  battle  a  severe  wound,  from 
whose  sad  effects  he  will  probably  never  fully 
recover.  It  is  hoped  he  will  be  benefited  by 
the  proceeds  from  the  sale  of  this  volume  to 
those  who  will  honor  one  whose  patriotism  did 
not  allow  the  suffering  of  former  years  to  pre- 
vent him  from  periling  his  life  in  defense  of  the 
"  dear  old  flag."  P.  A.  H. 

Readino,  Mass. 


CONTENTS. 


CHAPTER  I. 

THE  DEPABTURE. 


New  York  harbor  —  Farewell  on  the  Battery  —  The  Pilot  — 
Seasickness  —  List  of  Officers  and  Crew  —  Gulf  Stream  — 
Nantucket  —  Calms  —  Squall  —  Sick  man  on  Board  —  Funeral 
at  Sea  —  Ocean  Sights  —  Montevideo Page  11 

CHAPTER  n. 

SECOND  DEPARTURE   AND   SmPWRECK. 

Outward  bound  —  Falkland  Islands  —  Staten  Land  —  Snow- 
orowucd  Mountains  —  Calms  and  Currents  —  Gales —  Break- 
ers—  On  the  Rocks  —  Pumping  —  Last  Look  at  Daguerre- 
otypes —  Cut  away  the  Masts  —  Boats  stove  —  Waiting  for  the 
End  —  Reading  the  Bible  —  Men  Overboard 31 

CHAPTER  m.  < 

BEREAVEMENT. 
The  Ship  breaks  asunder — All  in  the  Ocean — Thomasand  his 
father  rise  to  the  Surface  —  Tiic  second  Mate  safe  —  On  the 


8  CONTENTS. 

Quartcr-dock — Tlio  colored  Sailor — "Jack  I[al3'ard"  —  Tlicy 
reach  tlie  Land  —  Prayer  and  Thanksgiving — Skeleton  Hut — 
Getting  a  Fire  —  Meeting  oilier  Survivors Page  52 

CHAPTER  IV. 

THE   LONELY   GRAVE. 

Illness  of  the  Captain  —  Building  a  Boat  —  Notching  the  Days 
—  Signal-stafl' — The  Barrel  of  Bread  —  A  large  Boat — Hunting 
for  Shelltish  —  Illness  of  the  second  Mate  —  His  Death  —  The 
lonely  Grave 13 

CHAPTER  V. 

SAVAGE  TRIUMPH. 

Arrival  of  the  Natives — Treachery  —  Fight  with  the  Natives — 
Captain  Coffm  killed  —  Escape  of  Thomas  and  the  Black  Man .  .  95 

CHAPTER  VI. 

THE    ESC^VPE. 

Another  Island  —  Part  of  the  Wreck  —  Going  back  to  Massacre 
Island  —  Tlie  Captain's  Body  —  "Wreck  Island  —  Seal  —  George's 
fall  over  a  Precipice — Embarkation  for  Don  Carlos — New 
Year's  Day,  1855 IIG 

CHAPTER  Vn. 

ADVENTURES. 
Sailing  among  the  Islands  —  Shellfish  and  Roots —  Berries  — 
Natives  agoin  —  They  become  Captives 'i'-'j: 


CONTENTS.  d 

CHAPTER  VIIL 

CAPTIVITY. 

lucideuts  of  Captivity  —  Ilimtiug  tor  Birds  ~  The  Women 
flailing — Eating  raw  Fisli  —  Natives  painting  themselves  — 
Dead  Wiiale  —  "Vermin  —  Vessels  in  sight  —  Goats  —  A  Ship 
arrived Page  153 


CHAPTER  IX. 


LIBERTY. 


Seeking  Shellfish  —  Hope    revived  —  Escape  —  Life  in  the 
Spanish  Ship  —  Valparaiso 174 


CHAPTER  X. 

THE  MISSING  VESSEL. 
Aching  Hearts  at  Home  —  News  of  the  Shipwreck — Letters 
from  Thomas  and  the  American  Consul  at  Valparaiso  —  Odd 
Fellows'  Gratitude 185 

CHAPTER  XI. 

TERRA    DEL    PUEGO. 

Extracts  from  "  Captive  in  Patagonia  "  — Morals  of  the 
Natives  —  Strange  Customs,  perhaps  religious  —  Poisoned 
Arrows  .  ,■ 204 


10  CONTENTS. 

CHAPTER  XII. 

MORE   ABOUT   TERRA   DEL   FtJEGO. 

Dr.  Fisher's  Account  of  this  Regiou  —Professor  Guyot's  Opinion 

—  Remarks  of  One  who  has  more  recently  visited  those  Natives 

—  Starvation  Bay Page  214 


Illusiralions, 


The  Rescue 2 

The  Last  Prayer 45 

Escaping  from  the  Savages 110 

A  Dainty  Meal ir)9 


THE 

CAPTIVE  BOY  IN  TERRA  DEL  FUEGO. 


CHAPTER  I. 
The  departure. 

"  Adieu  I  adieu !  my  native  shore 

Fades  o'er  the  waters  blue ; 
The  night-winds  sigli,  the  breakers  roar, 

And  shrieks  tlie  wild  sea-mew. 
Yon  sun,  that  sets  upon  the  sea, 

"We  follow  in  his  Hight ; 
Farewell  awhile  to  him  and  thee  1 

My  native  land,  good  night  1  " 

The  meridian  sun  sent  his  warm  ray:?  clown  upon 
tlie  blue  waters  of  New  York  harbor  on  the 
seventh  day  of  April,  1854,  as  a  little  boat  left 
the  shore  near  the  Battery,  and  rapidly  conveyed 
a  gentleman  and  lady  to  a  ship  which  had  been 
lying  off  the  Battery  two  days,  waiting  for  a 
full  complement  of  seamen.  It  was  now  ready 
for  their  reception,  and  for  a  speedy  departure 
on  a  voyage  across  the  stonny  Atlantic,  rouiul 


12         CAPTIVE   BOY  IX  TERRA  DEL  FUEGO. 

bleak,  inliospitablc  Cape  Horn,  far  up  the 
more  placid  waters  of  the  Pacific,  to  Val])arai- 
so,  thence  to  Panama,  Callao,  and  the  Chincha 
Islands. 

A  prosperous  voyage  was  anticijDated,  and 
with  high  hopes  and  buoyant  hearts,  the  captain 
and  his  wife,  for  such  were  the  gentleman  and 
lady  in  the  boat,  stepped  on  board  the  good 
ship  "  Manchester,"  and  greeted  their  youngest 
son,  Thomas  Edward,  who  was  to  accompany 
them.  Then,  while  the  lady  went  into  their 
cabin,  which  was  commodiously  arranged  on 
deck,  to  make  a  few  preparations  for  future 
comfort  should  dreaded  sea-sickness  make  its 
appearance,  her  husband,  Oaptain  Alexander 
II.  Coffin,  gave  orders  for  the  last  few  duties  to 
be  performed  ere,  with  her  anchor  apeak,  ai:id 
sails  set  to  the  noontide  breeze,  his  ship  might 
leave  the  vicinity  of  wharves  and  spires,  and  go 
l)roudly  careering  toward  her  destined  port  as 
if  a  "thing  of  life." 

Obedient  to  the  captain's  orders,  the  anchor 
was  weighed ;  but  still  the  vessel  lingered,  for 
the  mate  was  not  yet  at  his  post.  He  was  a 
cousin  to  the  captain,  and  a  fellow-townsman — 


,  CAPTIVE   BOY  IX  TERRA  DEL  FUEGO.  13 

both  being  from  the  island  of  Nantucket,  in 
which  one  of  the  owners  of  the  "  Manchester  " 
also  resided ;  and  it  was  with  real  kindness  of 
heart  that  Captain  Coffin  patiently  awaited  the 
arrival  of  his  first  officer.  Not  so  the  pilot. 
With  the  characteristic  impatience  of  men  in 
liis  vocation,  who  see  the  necessity,  not  of 
"  making  hay  while  the  sun  shines,"  but  of 
spreading  the  canvass  while  the  breeze  is  pro- 
pitious, he  blamed  the  mate  for  his  tardiness. 

Meanwhile,  where  was  the  absent  one  ?  Tak- 
ing a  last  sad  farewell  of  his  young  and  lovely 
wife  beneath  the  tall  trees  which  render  the 
Battery  so  beautiful.  Who  can  wonder,  that 
the  sands  of  Time's  hour-glass  ran  swiftly  in 
those  parting  moments !  None,  surely,  who 
have  ever  tasted  the  bitterness  of  a  similar 
draught,  when  about  to  separate  from  the  loved 
ones  of  the  home-circle,  will  wonder  at  the  un- 
wonted delay  of  him  who  was  ever  after,  as 
ever  before,  punctual  at  the  call  of  duty  on 
shipboard.  Even  the  rough  pilot  would  haye 
curbed  his  impatience  had  he  known  that  on 
that  beautiful  wave -washed  I  littery  the  mate 
and  his  wife  were  holdini!:  their  last  conversa- 


14  CAPTIVE  BOY  IN  TEKRA  DEL  FUEGO. 

tion  on  cartli.  Never  again  were  tlicj  to  meet 
on  this  side  of  the  Jordan  of  death.  And  this 
not  only  because,  as  will  be  seen  in  the  progress 
of  this  narrative,  the  mate  was  to  find  a  watery 
grave;  but  also  from  the  fact  that  the  call  of 
death  was  to  sound  ere  long  through  the  inner 
temple  of  her  being,  and  she  too  was  to  close 
her  eyes  to  all  things  earthly,  and  open  them 
only  in  the  regions  of  immortality.  "  Have 
they  not  met  ere  now  ?  " 

When  all  were  on  board,  the  ship  soon  passed 
rapidly  out  of  the  harbor,  whose  waters  were 
thronged  by  vessels  of  every  size  and  shape, 
from  the  stately  ocean-ship  to  the  little  steam- 
tug,  from  the  gallant  frigate  to  the  diminutive, 
but  no  less  useful,  pilot-boat.  Ere  long  they 
were  off  soundings,  beyond  all  danger  of  rocks 
and  shoals,  and  the  pilot  left  them,  taking  with 
liim,  as  usual,  messages  of  love  and  remem- 
brance in  hastily  written  notes  to  those  who 
were  fast  receding  from  them  in  the  distance. 
No  doubt,  to  the  noble  heart  of  the  captain, 
and  to  the  sensitive,  maternal  bosom  of  his  wife, 
came  many  a  thought  of  home  and  children  in 
that  hour  of  departure.     One   son    was   with 


CAPTIVE  BOY  IN  TERRA  DEL  FUEGO.         15 

them ;  but  liis  elder  brother,  and  younger  sister, 
their  only  daughter,  were  left  on  the  far-off 
island  of  their  birth. 

As  the  shadows  of  evening  drew  on,  the  good 
ship  reached  the  long,  high  swells  of  old  ocean, 
and  sea-sickness  began  to  assert  its  sway  over 
the  captain's  wife,  who  had  seldom  before  in- 
vaded Neptune's  domains.  Her  son,  who  was 
also  unused  to  a  sea-life,  was  not  exempt  from 
the  infliction,  but  he  recovered  in  three  days.* 

The  cargo  of  the  "  Manchester "  was  com- 
posed of  lumber  and  coal,  and  the  design  of  the 
owners  was  to  hav^J»er  return  laden  with  guano 
from  the  Chincha  islands.      Her  owners  were 

*  The  following  is  a  complete  list  of  those  who  composed  the 
company  on  board  the  "  Manchester  "  at  the  time  of  her  de- 
parture from  New  York,  a  list  prepared  by  the  sole  white 
survivor  :  Alexander  Hall  Coffin,  captain ;  Eliza  Aim  Coffin, 
captain's  wife ;  Thomas  Edward  Coffin,  captain's  son ;  Charles 
Henry  Pitman,  Qrst  mate ;  Joseph  Francis,  steward ;  John 
Alexander,  cook — all  of  Nantucket,  Mass. ;  David  Roes  Evans, 
second  mate,  Wales,  G.  B. ;  James  H.  Butler,  seaman,  Balti- 
more, Md. ;  William  Johnson,  seaman,  Baltimore,  Md. ;  Levcn 
Wilson,  seaman,  Baltimore,  Md. ;  Edward  Bonnet,  seaman, 
Newport,  R.  I. ;  Robert  Joshua,  seaman,  Kingston,  Jamaica ; 
Wilham  H.  Fisher,  seaman,  New  York,  N.  Y. ;  John  Cumber- 
land, seaman,  Jamaica ;  Joseph  Green,  seaman.  New  Prov- 
idence ;  William  Richards,  seaman.  New  Jersey ;  Robert 
Wells,  seaman,  Boston,  Mass. 


16  CAPTIVE  BOY  IX  TEKKA  DEL  FUEGO. 

Messrs.  Edward  W.  Gardner,  of  Nantucket,  and 
William  R.  Rodman,  of  New  Bedford.  The 
ship,  though  not  a  new  one,  was  supposed  to 
be  in  excellent  order  when  she  left  New  York. 
Only  two  days  after  leaving  Sandy  Hook,  there 
bidding  adieu  to  North  America,  they  encoun- 
tered one  of  those  severe  storms  which  rage  so 
furiously  in  the  region  of  the  Gulf  Stream,  and 
often  sweep  across  the  track  of  vessels  which 
are  obliged  to  sail  in  that  vicinity  with  such 
violence  as  to  accomplish  their  shipwreck  and 
destruction.  At  one  time  during  this  storm  some 
of  their  sails  were  "  carried  away."  The  near- 
est land  was  supposed  to  be  their  loved  island- 
home,  Nantucket,  but  that  was  a  hundred  and 
sixty  miles  away.  No  doubt  their  minds  often 
reverted  to  the  scenes  and  the  dear  ones  which 
were  on  that  island.  Yet  they  could  not  have 
desired  to  be  near  the  island,  unless  they  could 
be  safely  on  shore,  for  they  well  knew  the  perils 
which  exist  in  the  vicinity  of  their  sea-beat 
home.  They  had  gazed  too  often  from  their 
pleasant  residence  (in  the  little  village  of  Sias- 
conset,  on  thc,eastern  side  of  that  island)  far  off 
upon  the  broad  Atlantic  when  the  storm-king 


CAPTIVE    BOY  IN  TERRA  DEL  FUEGO.  17 

was  riding  the  billows,  and  the  mighty  waves, 
with  a  hoarse  voice,  beat  against  the  bluff  upon 
which  the  village  is  situated,  not  to  be  able  to 
realize  that  there  is  as  much  truth  as  poetry  in 
the  words  which  were  once  addressed  by  some 
poet  to  Nantucket : 

"  Thy  fatal  shores  and  sandy  shoals, 
Round  which  the  foaming  white  cap  rolls, 

All  liopes  of  safety  blast ; 
The  pale,  affrighted  sailor  eyes 
The  dangers  that  around  him  rise, 

And  turns  away  aghast." 

The  ship  leaked  badly  from  tlie  effects  of 
the  storm,  and  Capt.  Coffin  at  first  deemed  it 
advisable  to  steer  for  the  Western  Islands,  and 
stop  long  enough  at  Fayal  for  all  needful  repairs. 
But  one  day,  when  the  ship  had  nearly  reached 
that  port,  a  calm  came  on.  The  glassy  waves 
reflected  the  light  of  the  blazing  sun  almost 
without  a  ripple.  The  long,  low  swells  gently 
undulated  the  surface  of  the  ocean,  and  from 
out  no  quarter  of  the  horizon  came  the  faintest 
breezes. 

Capt.  Coffin  determined  to  improve  this  occa- 
sion for  tlie  benefit  of  the  ship  which  he  com- 
manded, and  with  his  usual  ingenuity,  bravery, 


18  CAPTIVE    BOY  IX  TERRA  DEL  FUEGO. 

and  industry,  caused  himself  to  be  lowered  over 
the  side  of  the  ship,  and  made  a  careful  exam- 
ination for  the  purpose  of  discovering  the  extent 
of  the  injury  the  ship  had  sustained.  He  found 
the  leak  to  be  "  in  the  wood-ends  from  the 
head-knees  up,"  a  phrase  which  sailors  and  ship- 
carpenters  will  readily  comprehend  if  others 
do  not,  and  he  soon  stopped  it  by  caulking. 

Thus  they  were  once  more  in  a  condition  to 
proceed  to  their  desired  haven,  and  so  they 
went  rapidly  on  toward  the  Southern  Cross. 
How  they  watched  the  stars  at  evening,  and 
pointed  out  to  each  other  those  with  which  they 
were  familiar  at  home ;  and  when  the  North 
Star  sank  in  the  far-off  northern  horizon,  as  they 
crossed  the  equator  and  sailed  on  southward, 
how  they  sighed  as  they  missed  it  and  its  sur- 
rounding constellations  from  their  firmament, 
because  it  seemed  then  as  if  another  link  was 
severed  jn  the  chain  which  bound  them  to  their 
home  and  the  dear  ones  far  away.  Then  they 
realized,  more  fully  than  ever  before,  how  far 
they  were  wandering  from  that  sea-girt  isle  and 
its  familiar  scenes.  But  God,  in  infinite  mercy, 
wisely  hid  their  earthly  future  from  them,  and 


CAPTIVE  BOY  IX  TERRA  DEL  FUEGO.  19 

hope  was  yet  strong  in  the  bosoms  of  all  on 
board  that  they  should  return  in  safety  to  the 
loved  ones  left  behind. 

They   were  favored    with  pleasant  weather 
after  the  leak  was  stopped,  and  the  ship  made 
great   headway  until  they  were  within  a  few 
degrees  of  the  equator.     Then  came  a  portent- 
ous calm.      Far   and.  near  the  waves  slept  be- 
neath the  scorching  heat  of  that  tropical  sun. 
Not  a  breath  of  air  could  be  felt.     The  extreme 
sultriness  betokened    danger,  as,  in  a  tropical 
clime,  the  fiercest  tornadoes  are  generally  pre- 
ceded by  a  sultr}'-  calm.     It  was  the  last  Sab- 
bath in  May,  and  the  quietness  was  in  keeping 
with  the  sacred  hours ;  but  out  there  in  mid- 
ocean,  the  heavens  above,  and  the  ocean-mirror 
reflecting   the   heavens  in  the   waters  beneath 
them,  till  they  almost  seemed   to  hang  in  the 
atmosphere,  with  no  sound  of  Sabl)ath-bell  to 
call  them  by  its  holy  music  to  the  house  of  pray- 
er, it  was  almost  oppressive.     Evening  came  on. 
As  the  sun  sank  below   the  far-distant  ocean 
horizon  a  light  breeze   sprang  up,  and  every 
effort  was  made  on  board  the  ship  to  take  ad- 
vantage of  the  fovoring  Mind.     Darker  grew  the 


20    CAPTIVE  EOY  IN  TEKEA  DEL  FUEGO. 

evening  sky,  and  suddenly,  about  eight  o'clock, 
a  heavy  squall  struck  the  ship.  The  wind  blew 
"with  great  violence,  and  the  rain  came  down  in 
torrents.  As  is  frequently  the  case  when  these 
sudden  squalls  occur,  its  approach  was  not  per- 
ceived in  season  to  take  in  sail  and  prepare  for 
the  shock,  consequently  the  damage  to  the  ship 
was  greater  than  would  otherwise  have  ensued. 
In  the  brief  period  o5.,^bout  ten  minutes  the 
flying  jib-boom  and  fore  and  raain-top-gallant 
mast  were  carried  away,  and  the  mizzen  top- 
mast taken  off  "  flush  with  tlie  cap."  To  sea- 
men, and  many  others  in  maritinie  towns,  these 
sea-phrases  will  be  sufticiently  perspicuous ;  and 
to  those  who  are  not  cm  fait  in  such  matters,  it 
will  at  least  be  evident  that  a  considerable 
amount  of  damage  was  done. 

In  a  marvelously  brief  j^eriod  the  storm  had 
passed,  the  moon  shone  brightly,  and  orders 
were  given  to  "clear  away  the  wreck."  The 
brave,  active  seamen,  headed  by  their  wortliy 
chief  mate,  sprang  aloft  to  cut  and  unreeve  the 
rigging,  which,  being  bnt  partially  torn  away, 
caused  the  remnants  of  the  shattered  masts  to 
hang  to  that  wliich  was  still  in  its  place. 


CAPTIVE   liOY  IN  TEUIJA  DEL  FUEGO,         21 

Captain  Coffin  remarked  to  bis  son  at  tins 
time  that  when  on  board  the  "American,"  (a 
ship  which  he  once  commanded,)  the  topmast, 
after  being  cleared  away  at  the  end  of  a  gale, 
fell  into  the  ocean  with  such  momentum  as  to 
leap  up  again  entirely  out  of  the  elastic  element, 
althoufi-h  it  was  sixteen  feet  in  leno-th. 

The  next  day  after  the  above-mentioned  squall 
the  crew  got  out  all  the  old  spars  which  were 
on  board,  and  rigged  them  into  what  is  called, 
in  seamen's  phrascolog\',  stump  top-gallant 
masts.  A  portion  of  that  which  was  broken  or 
torn  off  on  the  evening  before  Avas  used  to  re- 
pair the  damages.  On  board  ship  everything 
which  they  possess  that  ever  enters  into  the 
composition  or  "  fitting  out "  of  a  vessel  is  saved, 
as  in  some  way  it  may  be  made  useful.  As  the 
mizzen  top-mast  of  the  ship  was  entirely  gone, 
the  "  Manchester "  was  transformed  into'  a 
bark,  having  no  square  sails  on  the  after  mast. 

On  the  sixteenth  of  June  an  event  occurred 
which,  solemn  and  impressive  everywhere,  is 
doubly  so  at  sea,  where  the  loss  of  one  person, 
though  not  a  relative  or  a  friend,  is  felt  more 
than  the  luss  of  many  similar  persons  on  shore. 


22        CAPTIVE   BOY  IN  TERRA  DEL  FUEGO. 

This  event  was  the  death  of  a  colored  man  hy 
the  name  of  Joseph  Green.  He  was  a  native 
of  one  of  the  Bahama  Islands.  He  had  been  ill 
nearly  all  of  the  voyage  thus  far,  and  was  sup- 
posed to  be  suffering  from  the  effects  of  a  slow 
poison  which  had  been  secretly  administered  to 
him  by  some  enemy  in  one  of  the  numerous  dens 
of  robbers,  as  the  low  seamen's  boarding-houses 
may  too  often  be  justly  termed.  Most  cheering 
is  the  fact  that  philanthropists,  having  had  their 
attention  drawn  to  this  fact,  are  busied  in  devis- 
ing and  executing  plans  by  which  the  free- 
hearted, too  trustful  sailor  can  have  a  home 
when  on  shore,  where  his  hard  earnings  will  not 
be  drawn  out  of  his  hands,  or  dishonestly  taken 
from  him. 

It  was  the  intention  of  Captain  Coffin  to  stop 
at  St.  Catherine's,  and  there  have  the  ship  re-' 
paired,  while  the  sick  man  should  be  placed  on 
shore.  But  the  winds  were  contrary,  and  they 
were  reluctantly  compelled  to  give  up  the  idea 
of  setting  their  feet  at  that  time  on  terra  firma. 
Two  days  after  passing  San  Catherine'^  the  col- 
ored man  died.  It  may  therefore  be  supposed 
that  the  tide  of  life  had  already  ebbed  too  far 


CArilVE   BOY  IX  TERPwV  DEL  FUEGO.  23 

for  the  balmy  breezes  of  that  tropic  isle  to  have 
restored  him  to  health. 

The  captain's  wife,  in  the  kindness  of  her 
womanly  nature,  and  with  that  sympathy  in 
sickness  which  her  friends  at  home  well  knew 
her  to  possess,  was  in  the  hal)it  of  visiting  the 
sick  man  frequently,  and  ministering,  as  far  as 
possible,  to  his  wants,  though  his  gratitude  was 
far  from  being  commensurate  with  her  laudable 
endeavors.  He  was  evidently  too  ignorant  to 
appreciate  her  kindness.  As  an  evidence  of  his 
thorough  want  of  education  and  sound  sense, 
may  be  stated  the  fact  that  the  other  sailors 
having  caught  an  albatross,  this  sick  man  de- 
sired to  be  taken  on  deck  to  see  it.  He  was  so 
superstitious  as  to  believe  that  the  capture  of 
this  bird  would  result  in  his  speedy  death  unless 
he  could  see  it.  His  companions,  though  most 
of  them  were  colored  like  himself,  did  not  agree 
with  him  in  this  superstition,  and  as  also  he 
seemed  too  ill  to  be  moved,  they  refrained  from 
granting  his  request.  The  following  day  his 
spirit  took  its  everlasting  flight.  No  doubt  his 
superstitious  idea  so  preyed  upon  his  weakened 
mind  and  worn-out  body  as  to  hasten  his  death. 


24    CAPTIVE  BOY  IX  TERRA  DEL  FUEGO. 

After  a  sufficient  delay,  preparations  were 
made  for  liis  ocean  burial. 

"  The  sliip  lieaves  to,  and  the  funeral  rite 

O'er  the  lifeless  corse  is  said  ; 
And  the  roiigli  tar's  clieeks  witli  tears  arc  briglil 

As  ho  lowers  the  silent  dead." 

And  there,  far  out  upon  tlie  Atlantic,  beneath 
a  tropic  sky,  many  hundreds  of  miles  away  from 
her  early  home,  where  she  first  learned  to  read 
the  Scriptures,  Mrs.  Coffin  stood  by  her  hus- 
band's side,  near  the  silent  dead,  with  all  the 
ship's  company  gathered  around,  and  read  aloud 
that  heart-cheering  and  sublime  chapter  in  St. 
Paul's  Epistle  to  the  Corinthians,  where  we  are 
taught  most  clearly  of  the  resurrection.  Cap- 
tain Coffin  followed  his  wife's  reading  in  the  sol- 
emn utterance  of  a  prayer  suitable  for  the 
occasion,  imploring  that  this  solemn  event  might 
be  sanctified  to  those  who  were  left  on  earth, 
AVith  uncovered  heads  the  crew  listened  attent- 
ively and  respectfully,  and  at  the  close  of  these 
simple  burial  services  the  body  was  launched 
into  the  bosom  of  the  mighty  deep. 

A  large  proportion  of  the  persons  on  board 
the   "  Manchester "  were   of  African    descent, 


CAPTIVE   BOY  IX  TERIIA  DEL  FUEGO.         25 

All,  save  the  captain  and  his  family,  the  two 
mates,  and  the  cook,  were  colored.  This  cir- 
cumstance arose  from  the  fact  that  men  were 
scarce,  and  this  colored  crew  had  agreed  to  sail 
together.  Captain  Coffin  preferred  shi]>ping 
tlicm  to  waiting  for  a  crew  of  white  men. 

It  may  be  here  remarked  that  the  nsnal  va- 
riety of  objects  seen  at  sea  were  observed  by 
those  on  board  the  "Manchester."  To  the 
captain's  wife  in  particular,  who  had  never  been 
so  far  out  upon  the  ocean,  and  who  possessed  a 
keen  relish  for  the  curious  and  the  beautiful  in 
nature,  the  sights  peculiar  to  a  sea-voyage  were 
very  welcome,  and  never  was  anything  worthy 
of  note  descried  upon  the  surface  of  the  ocean 
without  her  attention  being  called  to  it.  At 
different  periods  along  the  voyage  were  seen  a 
species  of  flying-fish,  and  also  those  fishes  called 
by  the  seamen  "  skip-jacks."  The  latter  much 
resemble  a  mackerel  in  size  and  api)earance,  and 
frequently  accompany  a  ship  for  months  in 
great  numbers,  swimming  just  below  the  surface 
of  the  water.  Not  unfrequently  was  Mrs.  CoflSn 
called  to  notice  the  wonderful  phosphorescent 
appciirance  of  the  mighty  deep,  caused  by  the 


20    CAFnVE  BOY  IX  TERRA  DEL  FL'EGO. 

presence  of  myriads  of  little  sea-animals,  of  a 
jelly-like  substance,  and  not  more  than  half  an 
inch  in  length.  Nor  did  the  lai-ger  inhabitants 
of  the  deep  fail  to  be  represented  on  their  voy- 
ao-e.  Even  the  sperm  whale  was  sometimes  seen 
spouting  around  them,  and  porpoises  were  fre- 
quently beheld,  apparently  at  play,  sj)orti ng, 
with  huge  antics,  very  near  the  ship.  On  one 
occasion  Captain  Coffin  dexterously  cauglit  one 
of  these  sea-hogs,  as  they  are  sometimes  called, 
by  means  of  a  line,  to  which  was  attached  a  kind 
of  harpoon,  differing  materially,  however,  from 
those  used  for  the  capture  of  whales.  Albicorcs, 
and  even  sharks,  were  sometimes  seen  following 
in  the  wake  of  the  ship.  The  albatross,  as  we 
have  seen,  was  also  one  of  their  visitors.  This 
aquatic  fowl  resembles  a  gull,  and  is  sometimes 
called  a  "  great  gull."  It  is  of  the  size  of  a  pel- 
ican, or  larger,  very  voracious,  preying  on  fisli 
and  small  water-fowls.  With  its  back  of  spotted 
brown,  and  its  white  breast,  it  presents  a  very 
pleasant  appearance,  and  is  usually  a  welcome 
visitor  on  board  a  sliip.  The  albatross  is  some- 
times used  for  food,  though  it  is  not  very  pal- 
atable.    It  can  be  caught  by  baiting  a  hook 


CAPTIVE   BOY  IN  TERRA  DEL  FFEnO.         27 

with  fat  pork,  and  then  throwing  the  line  to 
which  it  is  attached  into  the  water.  There  is 
another  method  by  which  they  may  be  caught, 
which  is  to  allow  several  fathoms  of  fine  twine 
to  blow  out  in  the  direction  of  the  birds,  and 
then  throw  out  something  which  is  tempting  to 
them,  and  which  will  float  upon  the  top  of  the 
water.  Hovering  over  the  desirable  "  bait," 
their  wings  will  become  entangled  in  the  twine, 
and  then  they  can  be  easily  caught. 

Bnt  to  return  to  the  voyage.  Two  days  after 
the  body  of  the  deceased  mariner  was  commit- 
ted to  the  deep,  the  "  Manchester  "  reached  the 
English  Banks  off  Kio  de  la  Plata.  Here  they 
were  met  by- strong  gales  of  wind,  which  so 
retarded  their  progress  that  a  week  and  a  half 
elapsed  ere  they  could  leave  the  vicinity  of  these 
banks.  They  then  shaped  their  coni-se  direct 
for  Montevideo,  where  they  hoped  to  have  the 
ship  so  repaired  tluit  they  could  proceed  in  safe- 
ty, for  ever  since  that  severe  squall  struck  the 
ship  she  had  leaked  badly. 

It  was  the  memorable  fourth  of  July,  1854, 
when  they  sailed  up  the  harbor  of  Montevideo, 
and  cast  anchor  for  the  first  time  since  leavinj^ 


2S         CAPTIVE   BOY  IX  TERRA  DEL  FUEOO. 

liome.  Thcj  left  New  York  about  lueridiaii 
one  day  in  April,  had  sailed  over  a  vast  extent 
of  water,  and  now  anchored  before  the  capital  of 
Uruguay  at  high  noon  in  July.  Tlie  anniver- 
sary of  their  nation's  birth,  their  country's  jubi- 
lee, was  not  forgotten,  and  their  arrival  was 
appropriately  noticed  by  a  salute  from  the  guns 
of  a  French  frii>;ate  and  an  Ens-lish  man-of-war 
i\'hicli  lay  there,  and  whose  flags  were  hoisted 
in  honor  of  t\\6  day,  and  out  of  compliment  to 
the  American  ship  on  such  an  occasion. 

In  a  short  time  the  captain  went  on  shore, 
taking  with  him  his  wife  and  son.  There  was 
little  to  be  seen  of  any  great  interest;  Init  the 
mere  privilege  of  treading  terra  jirma  was  very 
satisfactory,  after  having  been  on  shipboard  for 
60  many  nfonths.  And  then  the  novelty  of  the 
appearance  which  Montevideo  presented  sup- 
plied the  place,  in  part,  of  whatever  else  was 
wanting.  The  liouses  were  mostly  very  low, 
and  tiles  were  used  upon  the  roof  instead  of 
shingles.  The  few  tokens  apparent  of  enter- 
prise and  industry  were  to  be  seen  among  the 
English  and  Americans  who  were  among  the 
foreign  residents  of  the  place. 


CAPTIVE   BOY  IN  TERRA  DEL  FUEGO.        29 

There  was  an  American  consul  there,  whose 
wife  and  daughters  were  particularly  kind  to 
Mrs.  Coffin,  and  slie  occasionally  went  ashore 
and  spent  tiie  day  with  tlictn,  though  her  home 
was  still  on  board  the  ship.  The  windows  of 
the  houses  were  usually  open  ijiost  of  the  time ; 
but  to  those  unaccustomed  to  the  climate  of 
Montevideo  the  practice  was  an  uncomfortable 
one,  as  ;the  air  seemed  somewhat  chilly  in  the 
shade.  "  Fruit  grows  there  in  large  quantities, 
and  the  ship's  company  were  plentifully  sup- 
plied with  oranges  at  a  low  price.  They  re- 
mained there  twenty-four  days,  partly  in  order 
to  have  the  chambers  of  the  pumps  fitted,  as 
tl).ey  were  so  worn  with  fine  coal  as  to  deliver 
but  httle  water. 

When  all  was  finished  they  took  on  board 
their  last  supply  of  fresh  provisions  and  fruit, 
and  bade  adieu  to  their  new  acquaintance  with 
hopes  as  high  as  when  they  sailed  along  tlic 
shores  of  Manhattan.  But,  alas!  never  again 
were  the  feet  of  some  of  them  to  press  the  soil 
of  mother  earth.  They  saw  in  Montevideo  the 
last  human  faces  they  were  ever  to  behold,  save 
those  of  their  own  crew,  while  they  remained 


30    CAPTIVE  BOY  IX  TERRA  DEL  FUEGO. 

on  eartli.  "  Man  proposes  l)ut  God  disposes ;  " 
and  while  mortal  fancy  pictured  the  perform- 
ance of  their  projected  voyage  in  safety  and 
with  success,  the  Divine  Disposer  of  human 
events  was  designing  for  them  a  far  different 
fate,  and  for  tlie  voyage  a  far  different  termina- 
tion than  that  M'hich  they  anticipated. 

Yet  who  shall  murmur?  "  Just  and  true  are 
all  thy  ways,  thou  King  of  saints  !  "  Inscrutaljle 
wisdom,  which  "  beholdcth  the  end  from  the  be- 
giiming,"  ordained  the  seemingly  sad  result,  and 
Jle  "  wlio  doeth  all  things  well  "  will  vindicate 
his  purposes  in  the  "exceeding  glory"  which 
shall  follow  affliction  in  that  world  where  the 
vail  is  lifted,  and  we  "  sec  as  we  are  seen,  and 
know  as  we  are  known," 


CAPTIVE   BOY  IX  TEKKA  DEL  FUEGO.  31 


CHAPTER  II. 

SECOND   DEPARTURE   AND   SHIPWRECK. 

"  Once  more  upon  the  waters  ;  yet  once  more  I 

And  tlie  waves  bound  beneath  me  as  a  steed 
That  knows  his  rider.     Welcome,  to  their  roar  I 

Swift  be  their  guidance  whercsoe'er  it  lead  I 
Though  the  strained  mast  should  quiver  as  a  reed, 

And  the  rent  canvas,  fluttering,  strew  the  gale, 
Still  must  I  on  ;  for  I  am  as  a  weed 

Flung  from  the  rock,  on  Ocean's  foam  to  sail 
"^  Where'er  the  surge  may  sweep,  the  tempest's  breath  prevail." 

A  FAVORABLE  breezc  sprang  up  on  the  28tli  of 
July,  1854,  and,  as  all  things  were  ready, 
the  sails  were  hoisted,  and  once  more  the  good 
ship  "Manchester"  was  outward  bound.  Kind 
hearts,  who  had  assisted  in  making  their  brief 
sojourn  conirurtablc  and  pleasant,  cherished 
their  memory,  and  wished  them  a  prosperous 
voyage,  ignorant  of  the  allotments  of  Providence 
which  awaited  them,  llad  those  friends  on  shore 
been  gifted  with  that  sad  endowment,  "  second- 
sight,'''  they  might  have  bidden  that  ship  farewell, 
]>rophetically,  in  the  language  of  Mrs.  llemans: 


32         CAPTIVE   BOY  IX  TEUltA  DEL  FUEGO. 

"Go  in  thy  glory  o'er  the  ancient  sea, 
Take  with  thee  gentle  winds  thy  sails  to  swell ; 

Sunshine  and  joy  upon  thy  streamers  be  ; 
Fare  thee  well,  bark,  farewell  1 

"  A  long  farewell!  Thou  wilt  nob  bring  us  back 
All  whom  thou  bearest  far  from  home  and  hearth. 

Many  are  thine,  whose  steps  no  more  shall  track 
Their  own  sweet,  native  earth  ! 

"  Some  thou  wilt  leave  below  the  sounding  waves; 

Still  shall  they  hve  though  tempests  o'er  them  sweep ; 
Never  may  flower  bo  strewn  above  their  graves, 

Never  may  sister  weep ! 

"  And  thou,  the  billow's  queen !  even  thy  proud  form 
On  our  glad  sight  no  more,  perchance,  may  swell ; 

Yet  God  alike  is  in  the  calm  and  storm — 
Faro  thee  well,  bark!  farewell! 

The  "  Manchester  "  had  scarcely  loft  tlie  har- 
bor of  Montevideo  ere  she  encountered  two  very 
severe  gales  ;  and  a  few  days  after  they  had 
"  weathered  "  a  third  storm,  on  a  foggy  morning 
they  discovered  land.  They  were  headed  di- 
rectly toward  it,  and  but  for  the  providential 
lifting  of  the  fog  might  have  been  shipwrecked 
there.  They  found  by  their  charts  that  this 
island  was  one  of  the  Falkland  group.  Its 
shore  was  rocky,  and  the  eminences  upon  it 
were  covered  with  snow.  A  few  days  after, 
"  Land,  ho !  "  was  again  shouted,  and  their  eyes 


CAPTIVE   BOY  IN  TEUKA  DEL  FUEGO.         o3 

rested  on  the  moimtainons,  snow-covered  island 
of  "  Staten-Land."  No  verdure  was  to  be  seen. 
They  were  drawing  southward,  toward  the  re- 
gions of  eternal  ice  and  snow.  The  "Man- 
chester "  was  favored  with  a  short  run  to  Cape 
Horn,  but  at  last,  after  a  succession  of  brisk  and 
favoring  breezes,  th.Qj  were  again  becalmed,  and 
remained  thus  about  thirty-six  hours.  During 
this  calm  the  vessel  was  swept  by  a  rapid  cur- 
rent toward  an  island  lying  off  Cape  Horn, 
and  which  could  be  seen  in  the  distance.  The 
island  appeared  to  be  mountainous,  and  the 
summits  of  those  mountains  being  crowned  with 
snow,  reflected  the  light  of  the  sun,  and  pre- 
sented to  the  spectators  on  l)oard  the  ''  Man- 
clicster  "  an  appearance  of  dazzling  brightness. 
Yet  they  dreaded  a  near  approach  to  the  island, 
for  in  such  a  calm  they  could  not  withstand  the 
current,  and  feared  to  be  drawn  among  tlic 
rocks  around  the  shining  island  to  their  entire 
destruction. 

Do  not  the  vain  and  sinful  pleasures  of  earth 
sometimes  appear  thus  dazzling,  while  amid  the 
unnatural  calm  of  a  miiul  at  peace,  because 
ilK>ughtloss  of  the  future,  the  soul  is  swiftly  hnr- 


34        CAPTIVE   BOY  IN  TERRA  DEL  FUEGO. 

ried  forward  by  tlie  current  of  habit  and  j3opular 
influence,  till,  unless  assisted  to  depart  by  favor- 
ing gales  from  heaven,  it  also  is  lured  to 
destruction  ? 

At  last  a  breeze  sprang  up  in  season  for  the 
rescue  of  the  "  Manchester,"  and  once  more  she 
was  out  of  danger.  As  evening  came  on,  how- 
ever, the  breeze  increased  to  a  gale,  and  the  gale 
waxed  more  and  more  furious.  Sail  after  sail 
was  taken  in,  and  the  ship  steered  southwest, 
till  they  were  in  about  58°  soutli  latitude.  The 
sl^ip  appeared  to  be  perfectly  tight,  no  leak 
being  discovered. 

Thus  they  went  on  till  about  the  25th  of 
August  without  having  been  able  to  "  take  the 
sun,"  and  marking  their  progress  only  l)y  what 
is  termed  "  dead  reckoning."  Land  was  as  yet 
nowhere  in  sight.  Strong  currents  were,  liow- 
cver,  perceived,  which  were  probably  setting 
tt)ward  shore.  It  was  now  deemed  necessary  to 
"  keep  a  good  look-out,"  as  their  position  was 
not  exactly  known,  and  land  was  evidently  near, 
though  they  did  not  imagine  it  to  be  quite  so 
near  as  it  really  was.  On  the  night  of  the  2Tth 
of  August  the  captain  ordered  the  watch  to  be 


CAPTIVE  BOY  IN  TERRA  DEL  FUEGO.    35 

exceedingly  particular,  observe  every  indication 
of  danger,  and  call  liim  on  the  first  appearance 
of  any  cause  for  alarm.  Early  on  the  morning 
of  the  2Sth  the  mate  suddenly  approached  the 
cabin,  which,  as  before  stated,  was  on  deck, 
and  called  out,  "  Captain  Cofiin,  I  see  broken 
water !  " 

The  captain  leaped  from  his  berth,  looked 
out  of  the  cabin  window,  and  sprang  on  deck. 
It  was  quite  dark,  for  in  that  latitude  at  that 
season  the  sun  did  not  rise  till  a  late  hour. 

Captain  Coffin  instantly  ordered  the  crew  to 
"make  sail,"  as  the  current  was  carrying  them 
toward  what  appeared  in  the  distance,  by  the 
uncertain  morning  light,  to  be  breakers.  They 
had  been  under  close-reefed  main  top-sail  and 
fore  top-mast  staysail,  as  the  wind  was  blowing 
very  lieavil}-.  Before  the  captain's  order  could 
be  obeyed  the  ship  struck  violently  upon  a  sunk- 
en rock,  not  more  than  six  feet  square,  over 
which  the  waves  were  wildly  breaking. 

Thomas  Edward,  the  captain's  son,  was  at 
that  time  in  the  cabin  with  his  mother.  lie 
looked  up  at  the  clock  when  his  father  left,  and 
saw  that  its  liands  dunotud  the  hour  of  six  A.M. 


SG         CAl'TIVE    BOY  IN  TERKA  DEL  FUEGO. 

Then  began  the  tragic  scenes  which  will  forever 
mark  that  day  with  black  in  his  earthly  calen- 
dar. Mrs.  Coffin  was  awakened  by  the  call  of 
the  mate,  and  she  and  her  son  lay  silently  listen- 
ing to  the  rushing  of  the  tumultuous  waters  and 
the  various  noises  on  deck.  The  ship  struck  in 
a  few  moments,  and  then  followed  loud  voices 
on  deck,  as  the  captain  hurriedly  gave  his  or- 
ders, and  the  men  responded.  By  this  time 
Mrs.  Coffin  was  up,  and  Thomas,  seeing  her 
out  of  her  berth,  inquired  what  had  happened. 
"  Rocks !  rocks  !  "  was  her  reply,  in  a  tone  im- 
plying that  the  ship  was  probably  in  great 
danccer.  Thomas  rose  to  look  out  of  the  win- 
dow,  but  it  was  still  so  dark  he  could  see  little, 
BO  he  turned  immediately  round  toward  his 
mother,  and  at  that  moment  the  ship  struck 
again  with  great  violence,  throwing  her  forward. 
This  might  have  injured  her  seriously,  but  that 
her  son  was  quick  enough,  and  stood  near 
enough  to  catch  her  in  his  arms,  and  so  save  her 
from  falling. 

All  was  now  confusion  on  deck.  The  first 
time  the  ship  struck  forward  of  the  fore  chains, 
the  second  time  aft  the  main  chains.     She  had 


CAPTIVE   BOY  IX  TERRA  DEL  FUEGO.  37 

drifted  upon  the  rock,  and  fears  were  immedi- 
ately entertained  of  total  shipwreck.  The  sea 
broke  tremendously  all  around  and  against  them. 
The  crew  were  soon  engaged  in  cutting  away 
the  spars  in  order  to  lighten  the  ship,  and  orders 
were  given  to  prepare  the  boats  for  their  recep- 
tion on  any  emergency.  It  seemed  hardly  pos- 
sible that  any  boat  could  live  in  such  a  sea,  yet 
they  knew  that  they  must  "  take  to  the  boats  " 
as  a  last  resort.  "  Sound  the  pumps  !  "  was  the 
loud  cry  of  the  captain,  and  the  order  was 
instantly  obeyed,  but  with  trepidation,  and  their 
fears  proved  to  be  well  founded,  for  it  was  soon 
discovered  that  the  hold  was  nearly  full  of  wa- 
ter. With  great  industry  they  commenced 
pumping,  every  one  seeming  willing  to  do  what 
lie  could  to  avert  the  threatened  danger.  Even 
the  captain's  wife  oifered  to  take  her  turn  at 
the  pump,  but  her  husband  would  not  allow  it. 
After  pumping  about  one  hour  and  a  half  they 
discovered  that  their  efforts  had  only  lightened 
the  ship  about  three  inches.  This  seemed 
rather  disheartening.  Still  they  toiled  on.  Life 
was  precious  to  them  all,  and  for  life  they  knew 
they  were  laboring.     The  ship,  as  has  been  said, 


38        CAPTIVE   BOY  IX  TERRA  DEL  FUEGO. 

was  partly  loaded  with  coal.  This  was  a  sad 
thing  for  those  on  board,  for  ere  long  the  fine 
coal  began  to  get  into  the  puinps,  choking  the 
boxes,  and  rendering  it  impossible  to  work  them 
at  all.  Tackles  were  therefore  obliged  to  be 
rigged,  and  the  pumps  to  be  hoisted  out  and 
washed.  But  very  soon  they  were  again  choked, 
and  the  same  process  was  to  be  repeated.  At 
the  end  of  another  hour  the  pumps  were  sounded, 
and  the  water  was  perceived  to  have  risen  two 
feet  more.  "With  unflagging  zeal,  and  a  glim- 
mering of  hope,  they  pumped  on  till  about 
meridian,  when  they  deemed  it  no  longer  possi- 
ble to  work  any  more  with  pumps,  they  were  so 
often  choked,  and  the  water  gained  on  them  so 
fast.  When  they  left  ofi"  pumping  there  were 
four  feet  more  of  water  in  the  ship.  Half  of 
the  crew  were  now  directed  to  prepare  the 
boats  for  immediate  use,  and  the  other  half  to 
obtain  the  requisite  quantity  of  bread  and 
water. 

-  Meantime  Mrs.  Coflin  was  in  the  cabin,  out- 
wardly calm,  but  inwardly  struggling  to  pre- 
serve her  trust  in  God.  She  busied  herself  in 
doing  all  that  she  could  for  the  comfort  of  all 


CAPTIVE   BOY  IN  TERRA  DEL  FUEGO.  39 

those  "wlio  were  engaged  in  pnniping,  irrespect- 
ive of  their  name  or  color.  In  that  lioiir  of 
clanger  there  were  no  distinctions.  Among 
other  deeds  of  thoughtful  kindness,  Mrs.  Coffin 
took  from  a  bag  of  nice,  thick  clotliing,  belong- 
ing to  her  husband,  articles  which  would  pro- 
mote the  comfort  of  the  crew  who  were  exposed 
to  the  inclement  weather  on  deck,  and  desired 
its  distribution  among  them,  which  was  cheer- 
fully accomplished.  _^ 

One  touching  circumstance  occurred  while 
the  crew  were  pumping,  and  Mrs.  Coffin  was 
calmly  awaiting  the  result  in  the  cabin,  which 
may  be  mentioned ;  for  these  "  little  items," 
which  are  of  such  deep  interest  to  those  who 
were  personally  acquainted  witb  this  estimable 
lady,  are  of  no  less  interest  to  the  warmhearted 
reader.  No  parent  can  think  of  this  mother 
taking  out,  as  she  did,  the  daguerreotypes  of  her 
beloved  and  far-otl*  children,  and  looking  upon 
them  with  a  fear  that  she  i?  about  to  leave  the 
earth  on  whicli  they  dwell  forever,  without 
emotions  of  profound  est  sympathy.  Her  first- 
born son  and  her  only  daughter  were  far  away, 
and  she  felt   as  she  gazed  upon  their  pictures 


40  CAPTIVE   BOY  IN  TERRA  DEL  FUEao. 

tliat  her  mortal  eyes  would  never  again  behold 
them  in  the  flesh.  From  the  first  hour  of  their 
danger  she  had  an  impression  that  they  wonld 
.not  escape  shipwreck,  and  that  she  herself 
would  not  escape  death.  With  mournful  satis- 
faction she  gazed  upon  the  pictures  of  other 
relatives  and  friends,  feeling,  no  doubt,  that  it 
was  a  privilege  to  view  those  silent  but  eloquent 
mementoes  of  dear  ones  far  away,  so  lifelike  as 
tliey  were. 

How  valuable  the  discovery  of  Daguerre! 
As  the  mother  in  Mrs.  Hale's  pathetic  song 
commencing,  "  The  night  was  dark  and  fear- 
ful," longed  for  the  morn  to  come  that  she  might 
once  more  gaze  upon  her  child,  so  might  this 
mother  have  sighed  in  vain  for  one  more  look 
at  a  lifelike  semblance  of  lier  children,  had  not 
modern  science  engaged  the  sun  as  an  artist, 
and  thus  transferred  with  delightful  accuracy 
tlie  features  of  the  subject  for  his  pencil  to  tlie 
mirror-like  plate  of  silver.  How  much  joy  lias 
this  valuable  discovery  afforded  to  the  many 
who  have  thus  been  able  to  look  upon  their 
dear  ones  with  the  ever-remembered  expression 
of  countenance,  though  their  eyes  might  liave 


CAPTIVE  BOY  IN  TERRA  DEL  ^UEGO.    41 

l)ccn  long  closed  in  death,  or  years  of  time  and 
miles  of  eartli  might  separate  them  ! 

But  to  retm-n  to  the  ship.  At  two  o'clock  in 
the  afternoon  the  boats  were  made  ready  to 
lower  into  the  water.  A  yard  was  prepared,  to 
which  it  was  designed  to  move  the  head  of  each 
boat  when  lowered  to  prevent  its  dashing 
against  the  ship.  They  succeeded  in  getting  two 
of  their  best  boats  ovck.  But,  just  as  they  were 
congratulating  each  other  on  their  success,  the 
end  of  the  yard  moved  toward  one  of  the  boats 
by  the  rolling  of  the  ship,  passed  throngh  it, 
and  completely  stove  it,  so  that  it  was  of  no 
use  whatever.  This  again  was  discouraging. 
Fortune  seemed  not  to  smile  upon  them,  or,  in 
better  words.  Providence  did  not  seem  to  favor 
their  escape  from  the  doomed  vessel. 

They  next  attempted  to  get  the  life-boat  over 
pafely  into  the  water.  They  hoisted  her,  and 
thought  success  was  almost  certain,  when,  sud- 
denly, the  ship  rolled  heavily  to  the  leeward, 
the  lashings  gave  way,  and  down  came  the  boat 
an  deck  with  a  deafening  crash  and  broke  in 
pieces,  thus  becoming  utterly  useless.  Then  it 
geemed  as  if  all  hope  fled,  and  as  the  s^d  acci- 


42         CAPTIVE   BOY  IN  TERRA  DEL  FUEGO. 

dent  happened  some  of  the  men  groaned  aloud. 
Only  two  boats  were  now  left,  one  in  the  water 
and  one  on  hoard,  but  both  together  were  not 
large  enougli  to  take  in  all  the  crew  with  their 
provisions. 

The  captain,  therefore,  determined  to  stay  by 
the  ship.  She  did  not  remain  on  tlie  rock 
where  she  struck,  but  was  slowly  drifting  with 
the  current.  Captain  Coffin  hoped  that  as  she 
had  lumber  on  board  she  might  remain  long 
enough  above  water  to  float  near  to  some  land 
to  which  they  could  escape  when  she  struck 
its  shore.  No  land  was  as  yet  in  sight.  The 
weather  was  very  unpleasant,  the  wind  blowing 
very  hard,  and  hail,  rain,  and  snow  alternating 
with  each  other.  The  officers  and  men  all  de- 
termined to  remain  with  the  captain.  They 
were  very  obedient,  and  did  not  take  the  liber- 
ties which  some  sailors  have  taken  in  an  hour 
of  peril,  Ca})tain  Coffin  advised  them,  if  they 
stayed  on  board,  to  cut  away  the  masts,  as  that 
would  lighten  the  ship  somewhat,  and  they 
readily  complied.  Of  course  they  could  now 
have  no  sails  up,  so  they  drifted  slowly  on.  At 
:il)i)ut  three  o'c^lock  in  the  afternoon  they  saw 


CAPTIVE  BOY  IN  TERRA  DEL  FUEGO.    43 

Lincl  afar  off,  on  the  verge  of  tlic  horizon. 
They  watched  it  as  long  as  any  light  remained, 
and  with  the  hope  that  they  shonld  reach  it  in 
safety,  tliey  made  preparations  to  spend  a  long, 
nncomfortahlc,  stormy,  and  dangerous  night. 

There  was  a  good  fire  in  the  cabin,  whicli, 
fortunately,  was  on  deck.  At  about  seven 
o'clock  in  the  evening  every  soul  came  aft,  and 
prepared  to  spend  tlie  night  near  each  otlier. 
They  could  not  expect  much  sleep,  though 
almost  utter  exhaustion  might  beguile  them 
into  an  occasional  momentary  doze. 

It  was  desirable  that  some  should  watch,  and 
a  portion  of  the  crew  preferred  to  remain  on 
top  of  the  cabin,  where  they  hoisted  the  spanker 
for  shelter.  It  was  a  piercing  cold  night,  and  the 
rain  beat  upon  them,  M'hile  the  Avind  howled,  de- 
mon-like, around  the  dismantled  ship.  Nineteen 
human  beings  were  there  awaiting  their  doom, 
with  only  "  a  plank  between  tlieni  and  eternity," 
and  with  every  reason  to  suppose  that  plank 
would  soon  be  submerged,  and  they  be  left  to 
grapple  with  the  king  of  terrors  beneath  the 
heaving  billows  of  that  stormy  sea.  Where 
.could  the  troubled  soul  find  consolation  in  an 


44:         CAPTIVE  BOY  IN  TEEKA  DEL  FUEGO. 

hour  like  tliis  ?  "Where  but  in  the  word  of  God, 
and  in  communion  witli  liim  by  prayer !  Cap- 
tain Coffin  read  aloud  in  tlie  precious  Bible, 
whose  great  truths  he  had  long  believed. 

After  reading  in  the  volume  of  inspiration, 
Captain  Coffin  offered  a  prayer  for  them  all  in 
their  distress.  All  present  seemed  to  unite 
with  him;  and  afterward  several  of  the  men, 
secludin<>:  themselves  from  the  view  of  the  rest 
under  a  greatcoat,  prayed  again.  After  this 
season  of  solemn  communion  with  their  Creator, 
the  captain  and  his  little  family  communed  with 
each  other.  Mrs.  Coffin  was  still  wonderfully 
sustained,  and  preserved  her  calmness,  though 
she  had  no  hope  of  a  rescue  from  the  impending 
danger,  having  said  to  her  son  and  her  husband 
also,  in  the  early  part  of  the  day,  "  I  don't  [ex- 
pect to  be  saved." 

Quietly  sat  the  ship's  company  in  and  upon 
that  cabin,  waiting  the  result  which  all  antic- 
ipated. A  few  words  in  a  low  tone  only  occa- 
sionally broke  the  solemn  stillness.  The  stout- 
hearted captain  strove  to  sustain  his  beloved 
wife  in  thiij  hour  of  trial.  She  was  exceedingly 
desirous  to  keep  close  to  his  dear  side,  with  their 


The   Last   Prayer. 


CAPTIVE  BOY  IN  TERKA  DEL  FUEGO.    47 

precious  son  very  near  to  both,  and  lie  was,  on 
Lis  part,  crpially  unwilling  to  be  separated  from 
those  so  dearly  loved  in  such  an  hour  of  peril. 

When  the  hand  of  the  little  clock  in  the 
cabin  pointed  to  the  hour  of  nine  the  ship  was 
discovered  to  be  full  of  water.  The  sound  of 
boxes  and  other  loose  articles  below,  could  be 
distinctly  heard  as  they  were  dashed  against  the 
ship  and  each  other  by  the  motion  of  the  water 
in  which  they  were  submerged,  while  the  vessel 
rolled  from  side  to  side.  Just  then  the  water 
could  no  longer  be  contained  below,  and  as  the 
ship  sank  lower  and  lower,  it  sprang  up  between 
the  crevices  near  the  mizzenmast.  Seeinj;  this 
evidence  of  the  sure,  though  gradual,  settling 
of  the  ship,  some  of  the  sailors  were  gr,eatly 
alarmed,  and  the  startling  cry  rang  out  on  the 
evening  air  from  some  of  those  on  the  top  of 
the  cabin  who  saw  the  upspringing  water,  "  We 
are  lost !  we  are  lost ! "  It  sounded  in  the  ears 
of  the  little  company  within  the  cabin  like  a 
death-knell,  and  deepened  the  solemn  sadness 
of  that  awful  hour. 

The  mate,  Mr.  Pitman,  faithful  in  the  dis- 
charge of  his  duties  to  the  last,  waf=  on  the  out- 


48         CAPTIVE   BOY  IN  TERRA  DEL  FUEGO, 

side  of  the  caLin  all  night  keeping  the  long  and 
dreary  watch.  Unhappily,  some  of  the  colored 
men  who  were  exposed  to  the  fury  of  the  elements 
with  him,  deemed  it  necessary  to  drink  some 
kind  of  spirituous  liquors  which  they  had  pre- 
viously secured,  and  thus  becoming  partially 
intoxicated,  were  unpleasant  companions  in  that 
season  of  weariness  and  distress.  Yet  there 
was  no  drunken  revelry,  and  the  serious  portion 
of  the  ship's  company  were  therefore  sj^ared  the 
dreadful  scenes  sometimes  consequent  upon  the 
reckless  conduct  of  shipwrecked  sailors  under 
the  influence  of  intoxicating  drinks.  How 
strange  that  seamen,  as  a  class,  do  not  see  this 
rock.  Intemperance,  amid  the  shoals  and  quick- 
sands of  life,  looming  up  with  fearful  blackness, 
on  which  so  many  of  their  number  have  met 
with  total  shipwreck ! 

About  ten  o'clock  that  evening  the  waves 
swept  over  the  deck  of  the  ship.  The  water 
])enetrated  the  cabin  also,  wetting  the  feet  of  the 
ill-fated  company  within  the  cabin.  Thomas, 
perceiving  that  his  mother  sat  with  her  feet 
in  water,  went  to  another  part  of  the  cabin 
and  broun-hl,  a  baii'  of  clothinfr,  Avliich  he  re- 


CAPTIVE  BOY  IN  TERRA  DEL  FUEGO.    49 

quested  permission  to  place  under  her  feet.  She 
told  him  it  was  of  no  avail ;  but  with  filial  love 
he  persisted  in  doing  all  the  little  he  could  for 
her  comfort,  and  she,  appreciating  his  motive, 
consented.  Soon  the  sides  of  the  cabin  began 
to  feel  the  pressure  of  the  waves  as  the  ship 
sank  lower  and  lower,  and  would  bend  in  and 
out  as  if  no  stronger  than  willow.  Very  little 
was  now  said.  Each  communed  with  his  own 
heart,  and  was  still.  O  liow  many  thoughts  of 
home  passed  through  the  minds  of  those  wait- 
ing watchers!  Who  can  tell  the  inward  strug- 
gle as  the  suft'erers  thought  of  their  far-distant 
frieuds,  and  feared  they  might  never  more  be- 
hold them !  Who  can  tell  how  many  anxious 
forebodings  filled  each  heart  as  they  thought  of 
the  scenes  which  might  fill  the^  hours  of  the 
coming  day  !  Blessed,  yea,  thrice  blessed  and 
happy  were  they  who  in  that  hour  of  deep  peril 
could  trust  themselves  and  all  they  possessed 
of  friends  and  property  in  the  hands  of  God  ! 

In  the  course  of  the  night  the  watch  reported 
a  reef  in  sight.  Tremblingly  they  thought  of 
the  danger  which  would  probably  accrue  should 
the  shi])  strike  upon  it.    At  three  o'clock  the  ship 


50    CAPTIVE  BOY  IN  TERKA  DEL  FUEGO. 

passed  a  rock  safely.  Still  the  bail,  snow,  and 
violent  wind  continued.  At  live  minutes  past 
five,  as  the  clock  in  the  cabin  indicated,  two  reefs 
were  reported.  The  .ship  now  sank  down  close  to 
the  water's  edge,  or  even  below  the  water.  They 
reached  the  reef.  Suddenly  the  ship  struck  upon 
a  portion  of  it  stern  first,  and  lost  her  rudder. 

When  she  struck,  those  in  the  cabin  rose  to 
go  out.  There  were  Captain  Coffin,  his  wife 
and  son,  the  steward  and  two  seamen,  who 
moved  togetiier  toward  the  door.  There  was 
no  hurry,  no  confusion.  Quietly  they  all  walked 
through  the  water,  which  was  more  than,  ancle 
deep,  opened  the  door,  and  went  out  into  that 
bitter  night  of  storm  and  darkness.  Captain 
Coffin  had  placed  his  right  arm  around  the  waist 
of  his  wife  to  support  her,  and  her  son  embraced 
her  with  his  left  arm.  Thus  they  went  forth, 
hoping  to  be  saved  together,  if  saved  at  all. 

As  they  paused  a  moment  near  the  door,  the 
ship  again  striking,  away  went  the  mizzenmast 
by  the  board,  carrying  with  it  the  entire  top  of 
the  cabin,  thus  sweeping  at  one  fell  swoop  nine 
of  the  ship's  company  to  a  watery  grave.  Their 
loud  cry  of  despair  and  fright  at  the  sudden 


CAPTIVE   BOY  IN  TEKRA  DEL  FUEGO.  51. 

approach  of  death  iu  a  tbrm  so  terrible,  one 
moment  tossed  as  a  plaything  on  the  surging 
billows,  and  the  next  struggling  in  the  pitiless 
waves  for  the  precious  h^on  of  life,  was  heard 
far  above  the  roar  of  the  winds  and  waters. 
Those  who  were  then  swept  away  were  never 
afterward  seen  by  the  known  survivors,  and  it 
is  supposed  that  they  all  "  sleep  their  last  sleep  " 
in  the  depths  of  that  cold  Antarctic  Ocean. 

"  And  first  one  universal  shriek  there  rushed 
Louder  thau  the  loud  ocean,  like  a  crash 

Of  echoing  thunder,  and  then  aU  was  hushed, 
I     Save  the  wild  wind  and  the  remorseless  dash 

Of  billows  ;  but  at  intervals  there  gushed, 
Accompanied  with  a  convulsive  splash, 

A  solitary  shriek,  the  bubbling  cry 
Of  some  strong  swimmer  in  his  agony." 

One  of  those  who  were  swept  away  at  this 
time  was  the  worthy  mate  of  the  ship,  Mr. 
Charles  Henry  Pitman,  of  Nantucket.  He  was 
about  thirty-six  years  of  age,  and  left  a  widow 
(who  soon  followed  him)  and  three  children, 
little  girls  of  much  promise,  but,  alas!  now 
sadly  bereft  of  those  tender  parents  who  would 
have  shielded  and  guided  them  along  life's 
thorny  path. 


52         CAPTIVE   BOY  IN  TERRA  DEL  FUEGO. 


CHAPTER  III. 

BEREAVEMENT, 

"  "What  is  the  worst  of  \voe8  that  wait  on  age  ? 

Wliat  stamps  tlio  wrinkle  deeper  on  the  brow? 
To  view  each  loved  one  blotted  from  life's  page, 

And  be  alone  ou  earth  as  I  am  now. 
Before  the  Cliastenor  humbly  let  me  bow 

O'er  iiearts  divided,  and  o'er  hopes  destroyed; 
Roll  on,  vain  days,  full  reckless  may  ye  flow, 

Since  Time  hath  reft  whate'cr  my  soul  enjoyed, 
And  with  the  ills  of  eld  mine  earlier  years  alloj'cd." 

After  the  loss  of  their  shipmates  in  a  manner 
60  snddcn,  less  hope  seemed  to  remain  to  the 
survivors.  That  awful  shriek  still  rang  in  their 
ears  even  after  its  shrill  sound  ceased  to  echo 
over  the  wide  waste  of  waters,  and  is  yet  remem- 
bered by  the  captain's  son  with  sensations  ter- 
rible but  indescribable. 

Standing  near  the  cabin  door,  as  above  re- 
marked, the  captain,  with  the  few  who  yet  re- 
mained about  him,  looked  forth  on  the  scene  of 
desolation.  The  only  evidence  that  the  ship 
was  yet  beneatli  them,  was  the  fact  that  their 


CAPTIVE  BOY  IN  TERRA  DEL  FL'EGO,    53 

feet  yet  pressed  lier  deck,  and  here  and  there 
portions  which  rose  above  the  deck  were  dimly 
visible.  Their  feet  were  covered  with  the  water 
which  hid  the  deck  from  their  view.  Imagina- 
tion fails  to  paint  the  discomfort  and  peril  oi 
that  awful  liour.  Still  stood  the  captain,  his 
wife  and  son,  supporting  each  other  in  that 
trying  moment.  And  now,  the  wild  waves 
thrust  the  ship  again  upon  the  rocks,  which 
forced  their  rough  passage  through  her,  and 
suddenly,  without  any  warning  to  those  on 
board  to  escape,  the  ship,  with  a  loud  and  awful 
crash,  broke  asunder  lengthwise.  A  few  who 
saw  the  event  in  season  leaped  on  to  one  por- 
tion of  the  wreck ;  but  breaking  open  as  she 
did  immediately  beneath  the  feet  of  the  devo- 
ted ones  who  were  just  stepping  forward  fi'om 
the  cabin  door,  the  ship  forsook  them  in  their 
extremity,  and,  in  a  second  of  time,  the  surging, 
roaring  billows  had  engulfed  them.  A  moment 
more,  and  Captain  Coffin  had  risen  to  the  sur- 
face, lie  swam  immediately  toward  a  piece  of 
the  wreck,  but  his  first  thought  was  of  those 
who  sank  with  liim  beneath  those  boiling  waters. 
As  he  gazed  around,  endeavoring  to  penetrate 


54         CAPTIVE   EOY  IN  TERRA  DEL  FUEGO. 

tlie  darkness,  lie  saw  one  human  form  ap})arent- 
1 J  striving  to  swim.  He  called  aloud,  "What 
poor  soul  is  that?" 

"  It  is  Thomas,"  was  the  reply,  in  the  well- 
known  and  joyfully- welcomed  tones  of  the 
captain's  son,  and  in  sC  few  moments  they  were 
side  by  side  upon  a  portion  of  the  stern  of  the 
vessel.  Then  both  looked  anxiously  for  any 
sign  of  another  living  being,  especially  to  see  if 
that  beloved  wife  and  mother  had  arisen  to  the 
surface  of  the  ocean.  But  no  trace  of  any  of 
them  was  to  be  discovered. 

A  portion  of  the  quarter-deck  was  near  them, 
and  soon  drifted  so  nigh  that  the  second  mate, 
who  had  saved  himself  by  jum])ing  upon  it  as 
the  ship  was  torn  asunder,  saw  and  recognized 
Captain  Coffin.  He  called  aloud,  "  Is  Mrs. 
Coffin  saved?"  "No!"  was  the  mournful  rci>ly 
from  quivering  lips  and  aching  hearts.  There 
were  three  on  the  wreck  with  the  second  mate, 
only  one  of  whom  was  saved,  Robert  Nfells, 
a  colored  man  from  Boston,  This  man  had 
always  been  called  "  George  "  on  board  the  ship 
because  there  was  another  man  named  Ilobcrt 
among  the  crew.     As  the  companion  of  the  cap- 


CAPTIVE  BOY  IN  TERRA  DEL  FUEGO.    55 

tain's  son,  during  Lis  sojourn  and  captivity  in 
Terra  del  Fuego,  tbere  will  be  frequent  occasion 
to  mention  him  hereafter.  The  other  two  who 
were  on  the  quarter-deck  never  lived  to  reach  the 
shore.  One  of  them  died,  while  floating  on  the 
wreck,  from  cold  and  exposure.  The  other  was 
struck  on  the  head  by  a  rock  and  fatally  injured 
M'lien  the  wreck  struck  the  land  at  last. 

But  the  two  pieces  of  the  wreck  did  not  float 
together.  The  stern  of  the  vessel,  on  which 
floated  the  sorrow-stricken  father  and  son,  did 
not  drift  so  fast  as  tlie  other,  and  they  were  soon 
left  to  bear  their  bereavement  with  no  one  to 
speak  a  consoling  word,  save  each  to  the  other, 
while  their  hearts  were  ovei"flowing  with  anguish. 
Down  deep  in  those  treacherous  waters  lay  the 
lifeless  form  of  that  beloved  wife,  that  precious 
mother,  who  had  so  lately  stood  near  them, 
pressed  their  hands,  and  given  them  what  proved 
to  be  the  last  parting  kiss.  Her  loved  and 
familiar  voice  would  no  more  iall  upon  their 
ears  while  they  walked  the  earth ;  and  should 
they  be  saved  themselves  how  sad  the  tidings 
they  must  convey  to  their  far-off  home,  and 
how  dreary  tliat    once   happy  home  would  bo 


56    CAPTIVE  BOY  IN  TERRA  DEL  FUEGO. 

without  her  presence !  O !  none  can  tell  the 
bitterness  of  the  cup  which  they  then  tasted. 
Bereavement  is  always  unwelcome,  always  sad, 
but  made  tenfold  more  sad  and  solemn  amid 
such  distressing  circumstances.  Languag-e  can- 
not express  the  intensity  of  sorrow  which  filled 
the  hearts  of  that  loving  husband  and  affection- 
ate son. 

Yet  there  was  one  ray  of  consolation  amid 
the  deep  gloom  which  enshrouded  that  lonely 
couple  floating  on  a  piece  of  wreck  far  out  upon 
the  roaring  surges.  They  were  yet  spared  to 
each  other,  and  could  they  but  reach  the  land  in 
safety  might  hope  some  day  to  return*  together 
to  their  home  and  friends. 

Their  situation  at  that  time  was,  physically,  ex- 
ceedingly uncomfortable.  Thoroughly  drenclied, 
their  clothing  water-soaked,  without  food  or 
drink,  and  having  eaten  nothing  for  more  than 
fourteen  hours,  they  were  far  from  anything  like 
comfort.  So  intense,  however,  was  their  mental 
excitement,  that  they  scarcely  heard  the  howling 
of  the  M'ind  as  it  blew  so  fiercely,  lashing  the 
waves  into  fury,  or  felt  the  frequent  dash  of  the 
salt  spray,  or  the  pelting  of  the  hail  in  their 


CArTIVE  BOY  IX  TERRA  DEL  FUEGO.    f.T 

faces.  On,  on  tliey  drifted  ;  and  as  tlicy  were 
tlnis  borne  along  Thomas  Edward  was  led,  by 
the  force  of  association,  to  think  of  a  book  which 
he  once  read,  entitled  "  Jack  Halyard,"  and 
which  contained  a  pictui'e  of  a  shipwreck  and 
the  escape  of  a  survivor  to  the  land  on  a  portion 
of  the  wreck.  Little  did  he  suppose,  as  he  sat 
by  the  pleasant,  comfortable  fireside  of  his  hap- 
py home,  and  pored  over  the  pages  of  a  book 
so  fascinating  to  boys  of  his  ag:e,  that  he  should 
ever  realize  what  was  there  dimly  pictured,  on 
a  cold,  dark,  stormy  night  near  the  bleak,  inhos- 
pitable coast  of  Cape  Horn. 

After  drifting  slowly  nearly  all  day,  they 
came  to  the  land  at  a  place  alxnit  five  miles 
from  the  scene  of  the  shi[)wrcck.  The  sun 
was  just  setting  behind  the  high  mountains, 
whose  rocky  sides  were  sparingly  covered  with 
stunted  verdure,  and  whose  summits  were 
crowned  with  snow.  The  current  had  brought 
them  to  a  place  where  the  water  was  very  smooth, 
and  it  was  with  great  pleasure  that  they  finally 
perceived  that  the  piece  of  wreck  on  which 
Providence  had  safely  borne  them  thither  liad 
grounded.     The  air  was  piercing  cold,  and  they 


58         CArTIVE   BOY  IX  TERRA  DEL  FUEGO. 

hoped  to  find  some  slielter  amid  the  rocks  or 
dwarfish  trees.  A  portion  of  the  himber  whicli 
formed  their  ship's  cargo  was  still  on  this  part 
of  the  stern  of  the  vessel,  so  that  they  could  ob- 
tain a  plank,  over  which,  after  properly  adjusting 
it,  they  could  easily  pass  to  the  sliore.  But  they 
were  not  equal  even  to  this  slight  task.  In  lift- 
ing the  plank  Captain  Coffin  fell  into  the  watci". 
It  was,  however,  rather  shallow  there,  and  with 
his  son's  assistance  he  was  soon  upon  the  wreck 
again.  At  last,  with  sad  but  grateful  hearts, 
they  found  themselves  once  more  on  terra  finna. 
But  now  Cayjtain  Coffin  was  again  nneoinfort- 
able  with  wet  clothes.  Their  clothes  had  dried 
somewhat  during  the  day,  and  Thomas  was  not 
as  badly  situated  in  that  respect  as  his  father, 
whose  entire  suit  had  been  saturated  during  his 
last  submersion. 

Their  first  act  was  to  endeavor  to  save  some 
of  the  things  which  had  floated  thither  from  tlie 
wreck,  and  were  now  strewing  the  water  near 
the  shore,  more  especially  because  they  hoped 
to  find  among  them  something  which  would 
serve  for  food.  With  joy,  such  as  shipwrecked 
mariners  or  starving  landsmen  alone  can  feel, 


CAl'TU'E   BOY  IX  TEIUIA  DEL  FL'EGO.  50 

fliej  discovered  a  barrel  of  lloiir.     Tlicj  hast- 
ened to  it  as  fast  as  their  weary  limbs  would 
permit.     In  trying  to  secure  it  Thomas  fell  into 
the  water,  but  by  his  father's  aid  was  rescued 
from   the    watery  grave   he   himself  had  just 
almost  miraculously  escaped.     They  walked  up 
from  the  shore  where  they  had  landed,  seeking 
for  a  suitable  place  in  which  to  spend  the  night, 
which  was  fast  approaching.    A  spring  of  water 
was   soon  joyfnlly  discovered,  of  which    they 
quickly  partook,  having  been  very  thirsty  dur- 
ing the  day.     Near  this  spring  they  found  a 
proper  place  for  an  encampment,  and  brought 
to  it  some  boards,  which  they  placed  side  by 
side,  and  on  which  they  proposed  to  sleep  that 
night.     They  tlien  went  down  to  the  barrel  of 
flour  and  tried  to  roll  it  up  to  the  place  they 
had  just  chosen.    But  their  strength  failed  them. 
They  were  so  thoroughly  exhausted  that  both 
together  coukl   not  roll  up  a  single .  barrel  of 
flour.     But   they  felt  the  necessity  of  eating 
something    that   night,    and   accordingly    they 
broke  open  the  barrel,  obtained  some  of  the 
flour,  mixed  it  with  water,  and  then  swallowed 
the  unpalatable  paste  or  dough.     Of  course  they 


CO  CAPTTVE    BOY  IN  TEllRA  DEL  FL'EGO. 

could  eat  but  little  of  tliis  strange  I'ood,  although 
Lunger  rendered  it  more  inviting  than  it  would 
otherwise  have  seemed.  Flour  and  water,  un- 
cooked, were  better  than  nothing,  and  they 
were  grateful  to  God  that  they  -were  thus  res- 
cued from  starvation. 

Having  thus  done  all  they  could  for  their 
comfort,  they  sought  repose  in  sleep,  but  not 
without  bowing  the  knee  in  prayer,  and,  while 
they  thanked  God  that  their  lives  were  saved, 
asking  his  divine  protection  during  the  niglit  for 
themselves,  and  for  any  of  their  com])anions 
wlio  might  yet  survive.  They  did  not  forget 
their  sad  bereavement,  but  prayed  that  it  might 
be  sanctified  to  them  and  to  the  far-distant 
loved  ones  who  were  yet  to  hear  the  sorrowful 
tidings.  And  then  they  sought  repose.  But, 
though  now  worn-out  nature  claimed  some  por- 
tion of  the  night  for  sleep,  she  could  not  Rec\n-e 
for  these  shipwrecked  sufferers  the  boon  of  for- 
getfulness.  Often  during  the  night  did  they 
live  over  again  in  dreams  the  sad  scenes  of  the 
day ;  and  their  perturbed  spirits  prevented  them 
from  receiving  the  physical  benefit  which  the 
sleep  they  did  secure  might,  under  other  eircum- 


CAPTIVE  BOY  IX  TEKRA  DEL  FUEGO.    01 

stances,  have  furnished.  Besides,  it  was  iincom- 
furtably  cold  where  they  were  lying,  and  they 
frequently  found  it  advisable  to  rise  and  walk 
about  in  order  to  warm  themselves  by  exercise. 
Toward  morning,  however,  they  obtained  a 
little  more  sleep ;  but  on  attempting  to  arise, 
and  commence  the  labors  of  the  day,  they  found 
that  the  little  strength  which  was  left  them  the 
night  before  had  almost  utterly  forsaken  them. 
They  could  not  remain  standing  a  moment. 
But,  gradually,  some  portion  of  their  usual 
strengtli  returned.  Nature  roused  her  recu- 
perative powers,  and,  though  still  suifcring  from 
exhaustion,  they  were  able  to  perforui  the  few 
duties  which  devolved  upon  them. 

On  the  previous  niglit,  before  stretching  them- 
selves on  tlieir  hard  beds  for  repose,  they  oliered, 
as  before  stated,  a  jn-ayer  for  the  protection  of 
that  Divine  Being  who  is  everywhere  present ; 
and  now,  on  arising  to  their  sad  experience  as 
lonely  exiles  from  their  far-distant  homes,  they 
again  knelt,  and  Captain  Coffin  offered  a  prayer 
for  guidance  and  protection  through  the  day, 
thanking  the  beneficent  Father  who  had  so 
wonderfully    preserved    their    lives.      Though 


C2         CAPTIVE   r.OY  IX  TERTIA  DEL  FUEGO. 

lie  had  been  called  to  drink  of  a  bitter  cup  in 
being  tlms  suddenly  and  awfully  bereft  of  the 
beloved  companion  of  his  youth  and  manhood, 
yet  he  was  grateful  that  liis  life  was  still  pro- 
Jonged  for  the  sake  of  his  son,  that  he  might 
perhaps,  if  Providence  permitted,  by  his  larger 
experience  and  consecpient  greater  wisdom,  aid 
Jiini  in  prolonging  his  life  on  this  desolate  island  ; 
nnd  then,  leaving  it  in  some  way,  to  secure  their 
safe  arrival  home  at  no  very  distant  day.  But 
"  God  moves  in  a  mysterious  way :  "  and  the 
hopeful  plans  of  those  hours  were  to  sink  in  the 
gloom  of  despair,  ere  the  loved  and  far-distant 
home  of  his  childhood  should  be  reached  again. 

Having  taken  a  draught  from  the  cool  spring 
near  their  place  of  repose,  they  went  down  to 
the  portion  of  the  wreck  upon  which  they  floated 
ashore.  Here,  after  some  search,  they  found  a 
small  tin  can  of  honey.  This,  with  their  flour 
and  water,  served  them  for  breakfast,  though 
the  honey  was  partaken  of  sparingly,  as  a  luxury 
too  rare  to  be  quickly  flnished. 

They  then  walked  along  the  shore,  for  the 
donble  purpose  of  seeking  shellfish  for  food, 
and  of  obtaining  some  knowledge  of  the  place 


CAPTIVE   BOY  IX  TEERA  DEL  FUEGO.  G3 

upon  wliich  tlicy  were  cast.  Captain  Coffin 
having  reached  a  little  eminence,  and  after  gazing 
around  discovering  no  traces  of  other  human 
beings  than  themselves,  mournfully  exclaimed, 
in  the  familiar  language  of  Cowper'p  Alexander 
Selkirk : 

"  I  am  monarch  of  all  I  surve}', 

My  right  there  is  none  to  dispute ; 
From  the  center  all  round  to  the  sea, 

1  am  lord  of  the  fowl  and  the  brute." 

There  was  no  exultation  in  the  thought  of  their 
isolation  and  state  of  sole  monarch}' ;  but  a  deep 
sense  of  pain  and  regret,  no  doubt,  accompanied 
this  announcement  of  their  loneliness,  and  with 
a  sigh  he  might  have  continued, 

"  But  the  sound  of  the  church-going  bell, 
These  valleys  and  rocks  never  heard ; 

Never  sighed  at  the  sound  of  a  knell. 
Or  smiled  when  a  Sabbath  appeared. " 

And  often,  O  how  often  !  as  the  shipwrecked 
and  doubly  bereaved  son  looked  away  over  the 
wide  ocean,  in  loneliness  and  almost  in  despair, 
might  he  have  used  the  next  stanza  : 

"  Ye  winds,  that  have  made  me  your  sport, 

Convey  to  this  desolate  shore 
Some  cordial,  endearing  report 

Of  a  laud  I  shall  visit  no  more. 


C-J:    CAPTIVE  BOY  IX  TERRA  DEL  FUEGO. 

"  My  friends,  do  tliey  now  and  tlieu  send 

A  wish  or  a  thought  after  mc  ? 
0  tell  me  I  yet  have  a  friend, 

Though  a  friend  I  am  never  to  see  !  " 

In  tlic  course  of  hi^  tour  Captain  Coffin  ere 
long  came  .upon  the  remains  of  an  "  Indian 
liut,"  as  they  termed  it,  and  from  the  bleaclicd 
appearance  of  the  shells  strewn  around,  they 
concluded  it  had  long  been  uninhabited.  Enter- 
ing the  dilapidated  doorway,  they  were  startled 
by  the  sight  of  a  skeleton.  Their  first  thought 
was,  that  those  bones  might  have  been  the 
remains  of  some  poor  sailor,  shipwrected  like 
themselves,  who,  finding  himself  unable  to  ob- 
tain sufficient  food  in  this  desolate  spot  to  sus- 
tain life,  had  dragged  out  a  miserable  existence 
liere,  and  at  last  died  of  famine  in  his  lonely 
hut.  But  on  examining  more  closely  the  struc- 
ture of  the  head.  Captain  Coffin  came  Xo  the 
conclusion  that  it  was  the  skeleton  of  an  Indian, 
or  South  American  native,  as  the  skull  was 
small,  and  the  forehead  exceedingly  low.  This 
idea  was  more  acceptable  than  that  which  first 
presented  itself;  yet  the  conviction  that  it  was 
possible  they  might  never  leave  that  place 
would    cling   to  them,  and  with   a    sad   heart 


CAI'TIVE   liOY  IN  TEKKA  DEL  FUEGO.         C5 

Captain  Coffin  said  to  his  son,  "  Thomas, 
perhaps  we  may  also  lie  -here  unburied." 
There  was  a  prophecy  in  his  words,  so  far  as 
they  regarded  himself,  though,  like  many 
a  man  who  foretells  future  events,  he  did  not 
realize  it. 

Having  obtained  a  few  shellfish  to  vary  their 
diet,  and  discovered  during  their  excursion  that 
they  were  upon  a  small  island,  they  spent  the 
rest  of  the  day  in  building,  as  well  as  their 
strength  would  allow,  a  little  house,  in  the  form 
of  a  long  tent,  from  the  lumber  which  was  con- 
stantl}^  floating  ashore  from  their  ill-fated  ship. 
In  this  little  house  they  spent  the  following 
night,  and  ere  they  slept,  thanked  God  for  the 
shelter  which  it  afforded  them.  On  Friday 
moi'ning,  tlie  third  morning  after  their  landing 
on  the  island,  as  they  pursued  their  usual  route 
along  the  shore  in  search  of  shellfish,  they  espied 
a  bai-rel,  which  a  friendly  wave  had  cast  on  the 
shore,  and  on  opening  it,  to  their  great  joy  they 
found  it  to  contain  sliipbread.  But  "  disap- 
pointment is  the  lot  of  man,"  and  the  bread  was 
soon  found  to  be  so  saturated  M-ith  salt  water  as 
to  be  eaten  only  after  long  soaking ;  and  after 


C)C)         CAPTIVE    BOY  IX  TERRA  DEL  FL'EGO, 

tliej  obtained  a  fire,  by  boiling,  reducing  it  at 
last  to  a  pulp,  wliich  was  fresh  enough  to  be 
palatable  to  those  who  had  little  besides  to 
satisfy  tlie  cravings  of  liunger. 

On  the  first  night  of  their  arrival  Captain 
Coffin  and  his  son  felt  the  necessity  of  a  fire, 
and  eagerly  looked  in  their  pockets  to  ascertain 
whether  the  few  matclics  which  they  still  pos- 
sessed were  sufficiently  dry  to  ignite.  Not  until 
several  days  after  their  landing  did  the  sun  shine 
enough  to  dry  those  matches.  Meantime  they 
ate  their  uncooked  dough,  and  shivered  with 
the  cold,  longing  for  their  comfortable  home, 
and  a  place  near  a  stove  of  blazing  anthracite. 
0)n  Saturday,  when  the  sun  seemed  to  have  dried 
the  matches,  Captain  Cofiin  and  his  sou  sot 
vig(jrously  to  work,  hoping  to  secure  ere  the 
day  ended  that  "best  of  servants  but  worst  of 
masters,"  a  fire.  At  noon,  when  Thomas  and 
liis  father  were  eating  their  raw  dough.  Captain 
Coffin  remarked  that  "  it  would  answer  for  i^ood 
very  well  if  it  were  only  cooked,"  and  immedi- 
ately after  dinner  they  commenced  their  laboi-. 
Thomas  tried  to  strike  fire  with  two  stones.  A 
I'iccc  of  oil  cloth  taken  from  liis  only  shij't,  was 


CAFriYE   BOY  IN  TERRA  DEL  FL'EGO,         G7 

torn  into  slireds,  hoping  that  it  would  serve  for 
tinder.  The  poor  boy  toiled  long  and  hard,  hut 
not  a  spark  would  perform  the  deed  he  wished. 
Captain  Coffin  rubbed  pieces  of  wood  together 
as  savages  often  do,  hoping  to  gain  a  fire  in  that 
way.  But  though  the  wood  smoked,  he  could 
not  make  it  ignite.  Finally,  thoy  thought 
it  sufficiently  heated  to  light  a  match.  They 
touched  one  to  it.  The  match  ignited,  but  in- 
stantly M'ent  out.  Another  was  tried.  That 
would  not  catch  at  all.  A  third,  and  lo !  it 
blazed  up  with  a  cheering  light.  Both  the 
spectators  were  delighted.  Captain  Coffin  him- 
self was  almost  overjoyed,  and  this  not  so  much 
because  with  a  fire  they  could  cook  their  food, 
and  keep  themselves  warm  and  their  clothing 
dry  ;  but  because,  by  means  of  the  smoke  which 
they  might  now  create,  some  passing  ship  might 
notice  the  fact  that  human  beings  were  inliul)it- 
ing  even  that  desolate  spot;  and,  since  such  a 
custom  is  common  among  shipwrecked  mariners, 
might  suppose  that  some  unhappy  exiles  from 
their  native  land  were  longing  for  them  to 
pause,  anchor,  receive  them  on  l)oard.  and  con- 
vey them  to'some  port  from  whence  they  might 


68         CAPTIVE   BOY  IX  TEUIIA  DEL  FL'EGO, 

more  easily  reacli  their  far-distant  homes.  As 
a  link,  therefore,  in  the  chain  which  bound  him 
to  his  early  home,  Captain  Coffin  rejoiced  in  the 
success  of  their  efforts.  So  absorbed  was  he  in 
thinking  of  the  pleasant  change  in  their  condi- 
tion which  the  prospect  of  a  iirc  alforded  them 
that  he  forgot  to  add  more  fuel,  and  if  Thomas 
had  not  been  more  mindful  of  tliat  nccc^^sity, 
their  precious  treasure  would  have  been  lost  ere 
they  had  scarce  realized  its  possession. 

Just  as  the  tire  had  been  sufficiently  increased 
to  cause  a  volume  of  smoke  to  arise,  they  were 
startled  l)y  the  sound  of  hunian  voices.  Some 
hunuxu  beings  were  evidently  on  their  island, 
had  seen  their  smoke,  and  were  now  rapidly 
advancing  toward  them.  They  hardly  knew 
whether  to  rejoice  or  be  alarmed.  Tliey  hoped 
the  voices  were  those  of  white  nien :  they 
feared  they  were  those  of  savages.  "  Father," 
exclaimed  Thomas,  "  that  sounds  like  a  hunum 
voice ! "  They  listened,  and  then  [)rocecded 
themselves  in  the  direction  of  the  voices.  How 
their  hearts  throbbed  with  the  hope  that  they 
might  meet  some  of  their  shipmates  !  "  O  Cap- 
tain   Coffin!   Captain    Coffin!"    was    the    first 


CAPTIVE  BOY  IN  TERRA  DEL  FUEGO,    69 

exclamation  they  distiuguislied,  and  from  a 
clump  of  bushes  came  forth  two  well-known 
persons,  David  R.  Evans,  the  second  mate,  and 
Robert  "Wells,  one  of  the  colored  sailors. 

The  father  and  son  greeted  them  with  every 
possible  demonstration  of  welcome.  All  dis- 
tinctions in  rank  and  difference  in  color  were 
forgotten,  and  they  embraced  each  other,  re- 
membering only  their  common  sufferings  and 
common  hopes.  All  then  knelt  down  together, 
and  Cajitain  Coffin  offered  a  prayer  of  thanks- 
giving for  their  escape,  and  of  entreaty  for  pro- 
tection in  whatever  dangers  might  yet  await 
them.  Their  prospect  of  reaching  home  was 
now  certainly  better,  since  there  \Vere  more  of 
tliem  to  labor  in  executing  any  plaii  which  might 
be  devised  for  their  escajjc. 

The  second  mate  presented  but  a  sorry  ap- 
pearance. His  clothes  were  torn,  from  passing 
through  the  bushes  and  over  the  rocks.  lie 
had  but  one  stocking  left,  and  one  shoe.  The 
colored  man  was  almost  as  badly  situated.  The 
second  mate  carried  in  his  hand  a  speaking 
trumpet,  and  the  colored  man  held  a  bno;  con- 
taining ship  bread. 


70   CAPTIVE  BOY  IN  TERRA  DEL  FUEGO. 

Mr.  Evans,  and  George,  as  the  colored  man  was 
usually  called,  were  soon  taken  to  the  fire,  and 
there  gave  some  account  of  the  manner  in  which 
they  had  passed  their  time  since  they  were  sepa- 
rated on  the  bosom  of  the  deep,  two  floating  on 
one  piece  of  wreck  in  one  direction,  and  four 
floating  on  another  piece  in  another. 

After  accounting  for  the  absence  of  their  two 
colored  comrades,  they  stated  that  they  teached 
the  shore  of  a  neighboring  island  about  noon  of 
the  same  day  they  were  wrecked,  and  then,  as- 
cending an  eminence,  watched  the  portion  ujion 
which  floated  the  captain  and  his  son.  They 
saw  them  land  upon  the  island  Avhcre  they  were 
now  all  assembled,  and  res'olvcd  to  reach  them. 
They  saw  a  large  quantity  of  provisions  in  the 
water  near  the  shore,  but  did  not  have  fore- 
thought enough  to  roll  it  upon  the  beach  for 
future  use,  so  that  much  of  it  was  carried  away 
by  the  waves.  They  secured  ship  bread  enough 
for  their  food,  and  then  immediately  commenced 
l)uilding  a  raft,  on  which  they  hoped  to  be  able 
to  reach  the  adjacent  island,  and  thus  meet  their 
captain  once  more.  They  obtained,  l)y  hard 
labor,  enough  spikes  from  pieces  of  the  wreck  to 


CAPTIVE   BOY  IN  TERKA  DEL  FUEGO.        71 

fasten  their  raft  in  some  parts,  while  other  parts 
were  tied  together  with  strips  of  bed-ticking, 
taken  from  the  bed  once  belonging  to  the  cap- 
tain's wife.  How  little  thought  she,  when  her 
maiden  fingers  sewed  up  the  seams  of  that  bed- 
tick,  (as  they  probably  did,)  that  it  would  ever 
be  used  to  lash  planks  together  far  away  in  the 
cold  regions  near  Cape  Horn,  while  her  own 
form  should  be  then  sunk  beneath  the  dreary 
waters,  and  her  husband  and  son  be  cast  away 
on  their  desolate  shores. 

While  tlnis  engaged  on  the  raft  the  second 
mate  was  severely  injured  internally  by  his 
over-exertion,  which  injury  resulted  finally  in 
consumption.  At  last  the  raft,  and  the  needed 
paddles  to  propel  it,  were  finished,  and  hope- 
fully, yet  fearfully,  they  started  for  the  other 
island.  The  current  was  so  strong,  that  instead 
of  being  able  to  land  on  that  portion  of  the 
island  where  they  saw  the  captain  land,  the 
raft  was  carried  irresistibly  toward  the  opposite 
side  of  the  island,  and  .there  they  finally  landed. 
As  tliey  advanced  toward  the  place  at  which 
they  wished  to  land,  they  called  aloud  through 
their  trumpet,  eagerly  scauning  the  ground  in 


72         CAPTIVE   BOY  IN  TERKA   DEL  FUEGO. 

their  vicinity  to  discover,  if  possible,  any  traces 
of  those  whom  they  so  anxiously  sought.  As 
they  drew  near  the  center  of  the  island  they 
reached  an  eminence,  from  which  they  could 
perceive  that  they  were  indeed  upon  an  'island, 
for  the  blue  waves  were  to  be  seen  in  all  direc- 
tions, and  hope  revived  in  their  hearts  as  they 
thought  it  still  more  probable  that  their  ship- 
mates were  near  them,  since  they  could  not 
easily  leave  the  spot  where  Providence  had 
thrown  them  in  the  hour  of  their  preservation 
from  the  perils  of  shipwreck.  So  the  two  went 
on,  calling  aloud  and  listening  for  a  reply.  Sud- 
denly they  descried  a  faint  smoke.  It  increased. 
They  were  sure  it  was  no  mist,  but  the  smoke 
from  a  fire  recently  kindled,  as  they  had  not 
seen  it  before,  though  they  liad  often  looked  in 
that  direction.  It  was  indeed,  as  we  have  stated, 
from  the  newly  obtained  fire  over  which  the 
captain  and  his  son  were  rejoicing.  The  second 
mate  and  colored  man  hastened  on,  still  shout- 
ing. The  joyous  result  we  know,  and  cannot 
wonder  that  in  such  an  hour  a  solemn  thanks- 
giving should  have  been  offered  to  Him  who  had 
preserved  them  so  wonderfully  to  meet  again. 


CAPTIVE   BOY  IN  TERItA  DEL  FUEGO.         73 


CHAPTER  IV. 

THE    LONELY    GRAVE. 

Go,  stranger  I  track  the  deep  ; 
t     Free,  free  the  wliito  sail  spread  I 
"Wave  may  not  foam  nor  wild  wind  sweep, 

Where  rest  not  England's  dead. — Mrs.  Hemans. 

After  resting  a  short  time  the  whole  party 
proceeded  to  find  the  raft  and  secure  it,  so 
that,  if  deemed  best,  they  miglit  seek  a  refuge 
in  the  i&hind  from  which  it  came,  wliere,  prob- 
ably, more  provisions  could  be  secured.  Upon 
this  raft  they  could  all  pass  over  in  safety,  and 
if  not  all  at  one  time,  certainly  sooner  than  if 
they  had  none  built.  "What  was  their  disap- 
pointment to  find,  on  arriving  at  the  landing 
place,  that  the  raft  was  utterly  gone !  Its  build- 
ers had  very  carelessly  neglected  to  secure  it, 
and  it  had  floated  tar  out  of  sight.  If  it  had 
only  been  secured  tlie  shipwrecked  mariners 
might  have  reached  the  other  island  sooner, 
then  have  constructed  their  boat  sooner,  and 


74    CAPTIVE  BOY  IN  TEKRA  DEL  FUEGO. 

finally  have  succeeded  in  escaping.  But  the 
ways  of  Providence  are  mysterious,  and  doubt- 
less some  wise  and  good  end  will  eternity  reveal 
as  the  result  of  that  seemingly  to  be  regretted 
circumstance. 

The  Sunday  following  this  meeting  of  ol<l 
comrades,  Captain  Coffin  was  taken  ill  very 
suddenly  with  some  disease  of  the  heart.  He 
had  been  without  appetite  for  some  time,  the 
natural  result  of  the  mental  depression  occa- 
sioned by  his  bereavement,  even  if  no  physical 
derangement  had  been  known.  ISTow  he  was 
so  prostrated  that  he  was  not  expected  to  live 
from  hour  to  hour.  On  attempting  to  sit  up, 
he  would  faint.  On  one  of  these  occasions  he 
swooned  so- deeply  that  his  son  could  not  forbear 
exclaiming,  with  bitter  anguish,  "  Father's 
dead !  father's  dead  !  His  companions  soothed 
him,  and  soon  his  father  revived.  But  so  faint 
was  the  captain's  hope  of  the  prolongation  of  his 
life  till  he  could  reach  the  other  island,  that  ho 
requested  his  shipmates  to  bury  his  remains  on 
a  hill  near  their  house,  placing  a  board  over  his 
grave ;  and  then  bade  his  son  "  put  his  trust  in 
the  Almighty,  for  Mr.  Evans,  the  second  ma%, 


CAPTIVE   EOT  IN  TEIUIA  DEL  FUEGO.  75 

would  do  all  he  could  to  secure  their  return  to 
their  far-distaut  homes."  And  often,  while  thus 
])rostrated  hy  illness,  the  feeble  voice  of  the  sick 
and  sorrowing  captain  might  have  been  heard 
praying  for  divine  aid  and  strength. 

As  soon  as  Captain  Coffin  was  somewhat  re- 
covered the  men  commenced  building  a  boat  in 
which  to  reach  the  adjacent  island.  The  occu- 
pation of  the  captain's  son  at  this  time  was  that 
of  securing,  at  the  proper  time  of  the  tide,  all 
the  muscles  and  limpets  which  could  be  found, 
and  also  to  keep  the  fire  burning,  over  which 
hung  a  pot  which  they  had  fortunately  secured, 
and  in  which  they  placed  the  bread  which  had 
been  damaged  by  salt  water,  and  boiled  it  till 
somewhat  fresher,  and  of  pudding  like  consist- 
ency. This  kind  of  food,  unpalatable  as  it 
would  seem  to  an  epicure,  was  gratefully  ac- 
cepted by  the  hungry  mariners,  and  served  in 
some  sort  to  sustain  their  lives. 

As  an  example  of  their  indomitable  perse- 
verance and  courage  under  difficulties,  may  be 
mentioned  the  fact  that  their  implements  for 
constructing  their  boat  were  two  jack-knives! 
They  tied   the  planks  together,  and  filled  the 


TG    CAPTIVE  BOY  IN  TERRA  DEL  FUEGO. 

seams  witli  such  portions  of  their  dress  as  they 
could  spare  for  such  a  purpose.  It  must  not  be 
supposed  tliat  their  boat  was  carved  and  propor- 
tioned with  artistic  skill,  or  that  it  bore  much 
resemblance  to  boats  that  are  launched  from  the 
shop  of  an  experienced  boatbuilder.  It  was  as 
rude  as  an  Indian's  bark  canoe,  and  but  little,  if 
any,  safer.  Yet  it  seemed  sufficient  to  convey 
them  to  the  other  island  ;  and  however  unworthy 
of  the  name  of  "  boat,"  they  gladly  dubbed  it 
such,  in  consideration  of  the  good  service  the 
nondescript  craft  might  yet  render  them.  Tlio 
barge  was  not  long  in  constructing,  for  on  the 
2d  of  September  they  found  her  ready  for  use, 
and  on  that  day  Captain  Coffin  and  the  colored 
man  started  for  the  other  island,  leaving  the 
second  mate  and  Thomiis  together. 

It  may  be  wondered  that  these  shipwrecked 
seamen  should  be  able  to  note  the  day  of  the 
month  on  which  they  accomplished  anything,  or 
that  they  should  know  when  the  holy  day  of 
rest  arrived,  since  they  had  neither  almanac  nor 
instrument  for  taking  such  note  of  time.  The 
secret  lay  in  their  adopting  the  simple  method 
used   by    Indians  of   many  tribes,  and  by  ex- 


CAPTIVE   BOY  lis   TERRA  DEL  FUEGO.  77 

ilcd  mariners  from  time  immemorial,  namely,  a 
notched  stick,  which  was  placed  first  in  the 
charge  of  the  captain,  and  afterward  in  his  son's 
hands,  till  it  was  accidentally  lost,  as  we  shall  see 
in  the  seqnel. 

To  return  to  the  boat.  It  had  two  pieces  of 
plank,  fastened  on  each  side  somewhat  like  the 
"outriggers"  used  by  the  natives  of  the  Pacific 
islands,  and  presented  a  singular  appearance  to 
tlie  captain's  son  as  he  stood  on  the  shore  and 
watched  them,  while  the  frail  bark  rose  and  fell 
npon  those  cold,  cheerless  waves.  At  last  he  re- 
membered liis  particular  province,  and  left  off  gaz- 
ing after  them,  to  repair  to  the  rude  kitchen  and 
enter  upon  the  preparation  of  dinner.  The  sim- 
ple repast  was  soon  ready,  and  then  the  anxious, 
half-orphan  son  stood  again  watching  for  the  re- 
tarn  of  the  boat.  At  two  o'clock  the  boat  came 
in  sight.  The  colored  man  alone  was  in  it. 
Anxious  for  the  safety  of  his  only  surviving 
parent,  the  young  lad  called  aloud  as  soon  as 
George  came  within  hailing  distance,  "Is  father 
safe?"  and  he,  misunderstanding  the  question, 
answered  "  JSTo."  What  a  moment  of  suspense 
was  that  to  the  young  man,  wlio  had  already 


78  CAPTIVE   BOY  IN  TERRA  DEL  FUEGO. 

seen  more  sorrow  tlian  commonly  falls  to  the 
lot  of  those  whose  summers  are  scarcely  sixteen 
in  number!  He  repeated  his  question  almost 
frantically,  but  was  soon  reassured  by  the  an- 
nouncement that  he  was  left,  at  his  own  request, 
upon  the  other  island,  and  had  sent  George  to 
bring  his  son  over  to  him,  that  the  long  night 
of  that  region  need  not  find  them  separated. 

The  second  mate  was  suffering  from  a  slight 
indisposition  consequent  upon  his  exposures, 
when  Thomas  bade  him  "  good-by,"  and  joy- 
fully went  to  meet  his  father. 

Ever  since  they  had  obtained  a  fire,  it  was 
their  constant  effort  to  retain  it,  and  for  this 
purpose  at  night  they  would  i)ile  up  branches 
of  the  trees  around  ere  they  retired,  and  often 
rise  during  the  night  to  replenish  it.  Now,  on 
crossing  to  the  other  island,  it  was  deemed  ad- 
visable to  carry  some  fire  with  them,  and  accord- 
ingly Thomas  took  a  long  stick,  the  etui  of 
which  was  burning,  in  his  hand. 

Just  about  dark  the  little  boat  shot  into  the 
little  cove,  and  rested  at  a  convenient  landing 
place.  Thomas  and  his  colored  companion 
leaped  on  shore,  and   hastened  up  to  the  hut 


CAPTIVE  BOY  IN  TERRA  DEL  FUEGO.    79 

•which  hud  been  constructed  by  the  second  mate 
and  colored  man  during  their  brief  sojourn  on 
the  island.  As  they  drew  near,  Thomas,  in  his 
eagerness  to  meet  his  father,  and  with  the  elas- 
tic step  of  youth,  a  little  in  the  advance,  they 
heard  a  low,  murmuring  sound,  and  instinctively 
paused.  From  that  humble  tenement,  so  rude 
as  to  be  scarcelj-  worthy  of  the  name,  was  heard 
ascending  the  solemn  voice  of  prayer.  The  be- 
reaved husband  was  asking  for  strength  to  bear 
meekly  his  burden  of  sorrow  ;  the  disappointed 
captain  was  imi^loring  greater  riches  than  those 
which  he  had  hoped  to  gain-on  this  voyage;  the 
anxious  father  was  pleading  for  the  safe  arrival 
of  his  precious  boy,  and  the  all-protecting  care 
of  God  for  the  far-distant  ones  whom  he  loved. 
In  a  few  moments  the  prayer  ceased,  and  the 
two  newly  arrived  ones  entered  and  greeted 
their  leader.  Outside,  upon  an  eminence, 
Thomas  saw  that  a  staff  was  reared,  and  a  rude 
signal  flying  in  the  evening  breeze.  It  had 
been  placed  there  by  Mr.  Evans  and  George,  in 
the  vain  hope  that  some  passing  ship  might 
descry  it,  and,  pitying  their  exile,  might  con- 
vey them  to  the  land  of  their  birth. 


80         CAPTIVE   BOY  IN  TEllRA  DEL  FUEGO. 

On  tlie  following  morning  George  started  for 
the  other  island,  in  order  to  convey  the  second 
mate  to  the  island,  which  it  was  determined 
should  be  their  home  for  the  present. 

During  his  absence,  Captain  Coffin  and  his 
son  went  over  to  another  part  of  the  island 
where  many  things  were  coming  ashore  from 
the  wreck,  and  there,  from  the  ample  store  of 
material  which  their  shi[)'s  cargo  furnished  to 
them,  they  built  another  hut.  "When  this  em- 
ployment was  over,  the  two,  who  in  their  exile 
and  bereavement  were  "  all  the  world  "  to  each 
other,  climbed  the  high  rocks,  to  obtain  a  better 
view  of  the  island,  and  also  to  see  what  things 
the  ocean  had  borne  to  the  land  beyond  the 
rocky  barrier  to  which  they  had  come.  Here 
they  soon  discovered  a  barrel  of  bread,  and,  to 
their  satisfaction,  found  it  to  be  uninjured  by 
the  salt  water.  This  very  barrel  had  been 
round  Cape  Horn  before,  and  was  not  much 
improved  by  its  long  voyages,  but  was  yet 
heartily  welcome  and  thankfully  received.  They 
ate  of  it  with  delight,  and  then  placing  some  of 
it  in  a  cloth  which  they  had  brought  for  the 
purpose,  they  clambered  over  the  rough,  rocky 


CAPTIVE  BOY  IN  TERKA  DEL  FUEGO.   81 

path  again,  and  conveyed  it  to  their  newly 
erected  house. 

The  colored  man,  finding  the  wind  contrary 
and  the  seas  high,  returned  without  having  ob- 
tained the  second  mate,  and  the  captain  then 
accompanied  him  in  the  boat  to  the  little  cove 
whei-e  the  barrel  of  bread  was,  and  there  hastily 
constructed  another  hut  in  which  to  store  pro- 
visions. Meanwhile  Thomas  kept  the  fire,  and 
sought  for  limpets  to  vary  their  diet,  and  add 
to  their  stock  of  edibles.  Their  little  hut  here 
had  a  rough  floor  and  berths  around  the  sides, 
while  in  an  appropriate  place  very  near  was 
the  "  large  roaring  fire  "  which  was  the  especial 
charge  of  the  youngest  of  the  party. 

The  shore  in  this  vicinity  was  strown  with 
lumber;  some  in  large  planks,  but  most  of  it  in 
pieces  of  smaller  sizes — some  not  more  tlian  three 
inches  in  length.  The  sharp  rocks  of  this  in- 
hospitable coast  had  broken  the  lumber,  as  the 
wild  waves  dashed  it  in  fury  against  them. 

On  Saturday  the  colored  man  succeeded  in 
obtaining  the  second  mate,  and  landed  him  in 
safety  on  the  island  with  liis  companions,  from 
whom  he  had  been  obliged  to  bear  a  lonely  scp- 


82        CAPTIVE   BOY    IN   TERUA   DEL   FUEGO. 

aration.  lie  often  spoke  of  the  niglits  Avliicli  he 
spent  on  the  island  alone  as  among  the  most 
dreary  of  his 'life.  In  the  daytime  they  could 
see  the  smoke  from  each  other's  fires,  and  this 
token  of  the  vicinage  of  human  beings  was 
somewhat  cheering. 

After  the  arrival  of  the  second  mate  the  boat 
was  again  in  requisition  to  bring  bread  from 
the  place  where  the  barrel  was  stored.  It  was 
exceedingly  difficult  to  bring  it  to  their  house 
by  land,  as  the  rocks  over  which  they  must  pass 
were  very  steep  and  rough,  and  the  whole  road 
full  of  precipices  and  chasms,  where  the  safety 
of  life  and  limb  was  only  secm'ed  by  vigilance 
and  activity. 

Tlieir  next  great  eflfort  was  to  commence  a 
small  vessel,  or  larger  boat,  in  which  they 
might  start  out  to  sea,  with  a  reasonable  expect- 
ation of  reaching  some  more  frequented  part 
of  the  world,  where  some  ship  might  pause  on 
her  voyage,  and  enable  them  to  secure  their  es- 
cape. The  planks  and  other  timber  needed  for 
their  new  craft  were  selected  from  the  lumber 
strewing  the  shore  on  the  other  side  of  the 
rocks.     Their  method  of  bringing  them  to  the 


CAPTIVE  BOY  IN  TERRA  DEL  FUEGO.   S3 

place  selected  as  the  best  for  building  the  vessel, 
was  to  tie  a  rope,  which  they  fortunately  pos- 
sessed, to  the  planks,  and  as  they  were  too 
heavy  to  drag  upon  the  land,  even  if  the  path 
had  been  smooth,  they  were  allowed  to  float  in 
the  water,  which  was  there  sufficiently  quiet, 
while  those  who  had  the  rope  in  their  hands 
walked  along  sometimes  on  the  shore  and  some- 
times in  the  shallow  water.  With  great  diffi- 
culty  and  severe  toil  did  these  sad  mariners 
labor  while  constructing  their  frail  vessel ;  but 
the  toil  was  easy,  the  labor  sweet,'  from  the 
happy  thought  accompanying  every  exertion, 
"  we  are  doing  something  to  assist  us  in  getting 
home  again." 

Meanwhile  George  and  Thomas  were  fre- 
quently the  purveyors  of  the  shipwrecked  party. 
They  sought  along  the  shore,  and  in  the  wave- 
washed  crevices  of  the  rocks,  the  little  shell- 
fish which  God  seemed  to  have  placed  there  for 
their  sustenance.  They  also  tried  to  capture 
some  members  of  the  finny  and  scaly  tribe,  but 
in  vain.  With  -the  hope  of  success  they  placed 
an  iron  sta[)le,  which  they  found  among  their 
few   remaining    possiessions.    in     the    firo,    and 


8-1        CAPTIVE    BOY   IN   TERRA    DEL   FUEgO. 

sought  to  bend  it  into  a  desirable  shape  to  use 
as  a  fisli-hook.  They  then  untwisted  a  portion 
of  their  rope  for  a  line,  but  not  a  single  speci- 
men of  the  piscatory  family  gladdened  their 
cjGQ  and  rewarded  their  efforts.  There  were 
evidently  no  fishes  in  that  immediate  vicinity. 

At  the  time  the  "  Manchester  "  was  lost  spring 
was  just  advancing  upon  these  islands,  and  here 
it  may  be  proper  to  mention  that  the  ship  was 
wrecked  on  the  coast  of  Terra  del  Fuego,  or 
"Land  of  Fire;"  but  in  their  travels  during 
their  sad  sojourn  in  that  inhospitable  region  the 
survivors  were  enabled  to  discover  that  instead 
of  being  all  one  large  island,  as  sometimes  rep- 
resented on  our  maps,  Terra  del  Fuego  is  ])artly 
a  cluster  of  sma'll  islands,  with  channels  or  pas- 
sages of  water  between  them  from  one  to  five 
miles  in  width.*  The  climate  is  chilly,  and  the 
M'holc  aspect  of  these  islands  rather  dreary. 
The  marks  of  volcanic  eruptions  are  also  here 
to  be  seen  in  the  rent  rocks,  and  in  their  pecul- 
iar composition.  Snow-storms  are  here  known 
during  the  entire  year,  so  that  summer  cannot 
properly  be  said  ever  to  reign  in  this  locality. 
*  See  clmptci'  xii. 


CAPTIVE   BOY  IN  TERRA  DEL  FUEGO.  85 

Just  at  this  period,  while  the  healthiest  of  the 
party  were  vigorously  engaged  in  constructing 
their  vessel,  a  cloud  was  gathering  above  them 
all  in  the  illness  of  one  of  their  number.  The 
second  mate,  Mr.  Evans,  was  gradually  failing 
in  health,  and  was  unable  to  render  much  as- 
sistance in  their  shipbuilding.  He  could  some- 
times go  down  to  the  shore,  and  engage  in  vain 
attempts  to  catch  some  fish,  as  that  required  but 
little  strength.  And  he  was  sometimes  busied 
in  keeping  the  fire  which  was  so  valuable  to 
them.  But  no  hard  labor  could  he  perform,  and 
he  was  fast  becoming  a  burden  to  the  little  com- 
pany of  his  fellow-survivors,  who  must  supply 
his  wants  as  well  as  their  own,  and  be  engaged 
in  attending  to  their  sick  comrade,  when 
they  might  otherwise  be  engaged  in  their  prep- 
arations for  escape  from  exile.  Yet  they  mur- 
mured not  at  this.  His  life  was  precious  to 
them  in  their  involuntary  exile,  and  they  would 
gladly  have  had  him  spared  that  he  might  still 
be  able  to  converse  with  them,  and  at  last, 
perli^ps,  be  with  them  restored  to  his  friends 
at  his  early  home.  The  cup  of  cold  water  was 
freely  given  to  cool  his  parched  lips,  and  the 


SG         CAPTIVE   BOY  IN  TEKlfA  DEL  FUEGO. 

rcfrosliing  fluid  never  witliheld  when  wanted  to 
cool  his  fevered  brow,  or  a  friendly  hand  reiiiscd 
when  needed  to  render  any  service  to  make 
him  more  comfortable.  He  bore  his  wearisome 
illness  with  as  much  patience  as  could  be  ex- 
pected of  one  suffering  so  intensely,  and  with 
so  few  of  the  common  comforts  and  necessaries 
of  life. 

On  the  third  of  November  he  suffered  unusual- 
ly. At  times  it  seemed  as  if  the  moment  of  dis- 
solution must  soon  arrive.  Yet  he  still  had 
hope  of  surviving  the  disease.  He  was  suffer- 
ing from  "  quick  consumption  ; "  and  it  is  well 
known  that  the  sufferers  from  that  disease  are 
often  flattered  by  its  delusive  changes  and  phases 
into  the  belief  that  they  will  speedily  recover ; 
and  80,  while  the  sands  in  his  hourglass  were 
almost  run,  he  was  vainly  imagining  that  he 
had  many  years  to  live. 

In  the  forenoon  of  the  above-mentioned  day 
Mr.  Evans  talked  much  of  Nantucket,  and  the 
friends  he  had  on  that  island ;  asked  when  the 
captain  thought  the  boat  would  be  done,  and 
how  soon  he  might  reasonably  expect  to  meet 
his  fi'iends  again.     The  rest  of  the  shipwrecked 


CAPTIVE    BOV   IN  TERRA  DEL  FUEGO.         87 

band  bad  no  idea  that  the  second  mate  could 
live  to  go  away  in  tlie  boat,  and  at  last,  on  this 
forenoon,  Captain  Coffin  felt  it  his  duty  to  tell 
the  sick  man  that  he  was  evidently  fast  hast- 
ening to  "  that  bourne  whence  no  traveler 
returns."  Mr.  Evans  bore  the  recej^tion  of 
such  a  communication  as  heroically  as  could  be 
expected,  and  requested  Captain  Coffin  to  write 
down  a  few  last  messages  to  convey  to  his 
friends  in  case  he  should  not  live  to  converse 
with  them  again.  The  captain  very  promptly 
acceded  to  his  request,  and  set  about  preparing 
materials  for  use  on  this  solemn  occasion.  It 
may  be  wondered  how  any  paper  or  pens  could 
be  obtained  in  that  land,  so  far  removed  from 
the  stationery  shops  of  the  civilized  world.  But 
for  pencil  or  pen  Captain  Coffin  used  a  small 
stick,  whose  sharpened  end  had  been  burned  so 
that  it  would  make  a  black,  ill-defined  mark.  It 
was  all  the  pen  they  could  obtain,  and  they 
were  very  glad  to  possess  even  that.  '*  What 
can  be  obtained  on  which  to  write?"  was  the 
next  question.  A  piece  of  smooth  plank,  if  such 
could  be  found,  might  answer  ;  but  they  had  a 
better  substitute  than  that,  yet  one  that  gave 


88    CAPTIVE  BOY  IN  TERRA  DEL  FUEGO. 

many  a  pang  to  that  fotber's  lieart,  as  lie  wrote 
upon  it.  Strange  as  it  may  seem,  the  last  kind 
farewell  messages  of  that  dying  man  were  pen- 
ciled by  the  captain  on  the  blank  portion  of  his 
own  far-ofi'  danghtor's  writing  book,  or  "  copy- 
book," as  some  call  it,  which  she  had  commenced 
using  in  the  village  school  at  her  island-home, 
and  which  was  accidentally  packed  with  her 
mother's  articles,  and  at  the  breaking  np  of  the 
ship,  and  the  scattering  of  all  the  treasm'es  on 
board,  this  had  floated  unharmed  ashore,  and 
was  now  dr}^  and  fit  for  use. 

As  he  looked  upon  his  beloved  daughter's 
name  written  upon  the  title-page,  and  saw  her 
youthful  and  familiar  chirography,  the  lieart  of 
the  strong  man  melted  within  him  as  he  yearned 
to  see  that  daughter's  face  again,  and  remembered 
she  was  now  motherless ;  and  the  tears  would 
come  as  he  s  id  to  his  son,  who  shared  largely 
in  his  father's  emotions,  "  This  is  all  we  have 
which  was  Louisa's." 

After  taking  down  his  farewell  words,  the 
captain,  Avitli  the  others,  did  all  they  could  for 
the  comfort  of  the  sick  man  till  toward  six 
o'clock,  when  they  all  sought  to  retire  for  the 


CAPTIVE  BOY  IN  TERRA  DEL  FUEGO.    89 

ni<j;lit  to  tlicir  rough,  hard  couches.  "Witli  his 
own  hand  the  captain  smoothed  the  only  two 
pillows  which  had  floated  on  shore,  placing  them 
as  comfortably  as  possible  beneath  the  sick  man's 
head,  and  then,  after  a  season  of  solemn  prayer, 
in  which  the  dying  man  was  commended  to  the 
infinite  mercy  of  God  in  Christ,  they  all  pre- 
pared for  their  night's  rest.  As  the  nights  were 
short  at  this  season  of  the  year  in  this  latitude, 
they  usually  retired  at  sundown.  It  was  not 
quite  six  as  they  prepared  for  that  sleep  which 
was  to  them  so  welcome  since  it  brouo-ht  foro-et- 
fulness  of  their  sorrows,  and  permitted  them,  in 
dreams,  to  revel  amid  the  joys  of  home.  To  the 
far-off  mariner  how  precious  are  such  visions  of 
the  night ! 

Captain  Coffin  and  Thomas  had  retired  to 
their  berths,  but  the  colored  man  was  still  up, 
moving  quietly  about  the  little  room,  and  hum- 
ming the  tune  of  some  familiar  hymn.  A  Ijoard 
had  been  placed  in  front  of  the  sick  man's  bed, 
to  serve  as  a  screen  from  the  light  and  heat  of 
the  fire,  and  its  shadow  prevented  the  others  in 
the  room  from  noticing  the  appearance  of  the 
dying  man.     But  as  the  colored   man  passed 


90    CAPTIVE  BOY  IN  TERRA  DEL  FUEGO. 

near  him  he  noticed  suddenly  that  there  was  a 
marked  change  in  his  appearance.  "  Captain 
Coffin ! "  exchiimed  he  hastily,  and  at  his  sud- 
den exclamation  both  Thomas  and  his  father 
arose, 

"  What  is  it  ?"  asked  the  captain,  with  some 
alarm  at  the  unusual  tone  of  his  colored  com- 
panion. 

"  He's  gone  ! "  was  the  reply,  and  the  captain 
sprang  from  his  berth  and  approached  that  of 
the  second  mate.  He  could  discover  no  signs 
of  life,  and  reverently  closed  the  eyes  of  his 
only  fellow-officer  who  had  survived  the  ship- 
wreck, but  who  would  never  reach  the  green 
hills  of  his  childhood  in  that  far-off  Wales  where 
his  parents  still  dwelt.  The  dust  of  a  iBriton 
must  hcncefortli  hallow  this  little  island,  and 
liis  would  probably  be  a  lonely  grave.  So  the 
captain  thought  as  he  looked  forward  that  night 
to  a  return  to  the  civilized  world,  little  dream- 
ing tliat  while  the  grave  of  Mr.  Evans  might  be 
the  only  one  on  the  island,  some  of  the  rest  of 
them  might  leave  their  cold  remains  unburied 
upon  that  inhospitable  soil. 

With  the  assistance  of  his  companions,  Cap- 


CAPTIVE   BOY  IN  TERRA  DEL  FUEGO.         91 

tain  Coffin  composed  the  stiffening  limbs  of  tlie 
deceased  upon  a  board,  covered  the  body  with 
a  portion  of  his  bedding,  and  when  all  was 
done  to  prepare  the  lifeless  form  for  burial 
on  the  morrow,  the  survivors  knelt  again  in 
prayer. 

The  scene,  the  hour,  the  circumstances  were 
inexpressibly  solemn.  Never  while  memory 
remains  will  that  young  lad,  who  knelt  there 
by  his  father's  side,  forget  them.  It  was  the 
first  time  he  had  ever  been  so  closely  in  contact 
with  death  on  shore,  and  the  whole  occasion 
was  such  as  to  stamp  itself  indelibly  upon  his 
mind.  His  nerves  were  stretched  to  their  ut- 
most tension,  so  to  sp^ak,  as  he  lay  there  with 
his  father,  and  kept  much  awake  during  the 
long  and  lonely  night.  He  could  not  bear  to  be 
separated  for  a  moment  from  his  father,  nor 
could  that  father  desire  him  to  be  away  from  his 
side.  Both  realized  sadly  how  far,  very  far, 
they  were  from  their  home  and  surviving 
loved  ones. 

But  the  longest  night  has  at  last  an  end.  The 
gray  morning  at  length  appeared.  As  soon  as 
it  was  practicable,  the  three  survivors  went  out 


92    CAPTIVE  BOY  IN  TERRA  DEL  FUEGO. 

lo  a  little  hill  near,  and  there  excavated  a  spot 
to  contain  the  last  remains  of  their  departed 
companion.  They  were  obliged  to  dig  the 
grave  with  a  paddle,  having  no  more  suitable 
instrument.  Placing  a  board  at  the  bottom  of 
the  excavation,  and  others  at  the  head,  foot,  and 
sides,  they  returned  to  their  little  hut,  and  pre- 
pared to  remove  the  cold  remains  to  their  last 
earthly  resting-place. 

The  site  of  the  grave  was  chosen  upon  the 
hill  because  it  would  thus  be  more  likely  to  be 
discovered  by  those  who  should  visit  the  island 
in  future  years.  But  it  was  a  difficult  matter 
to  convey  the  body  to  its  last  retreat.  They 
were  obliged  to  tie  it  to  the  .board  upon  which 
it  had  been  stretched,  and  then  placing  another 
board  on  the  ground  when  they  reached  the 
slope  of  the  hill,  to  slide  it  on  that  until  it  reached 
the  appointed  spot.  The  rain  had  commenced 
descending,  yet  they  continued  their  solenm 
duties  to  the  dead  with  all  the  ])ropriety  and 
decorum  which  circumstances  would  allow. 
They  lowered  his  body  into  the  grave,  placed 
another  board  over  it,  and  then  filled  in  the 
(^arth,  and  heaped  up  the  lonely  mound.     As 


CAPTIVE   EOY   IN   TEERA   DEL   FUEGO.       93 

they  stood  beside  it,  and  realized  tliat  tliey  Lad 

taken  their  farewell  look  at  the  familiar  form 

of  their  companion,  the  tears  of  regret  at  his 

loss  from  their  little  companj^,  and  of  sympathy 

with  his  far-off  relatives  when  they  should  learn 

his  fate,  coursed  down  their  cheeks.     In  solemn 

words  the  captain  approached  the  mercy-seat, 

to  ask  that  to  those  wlio  were  left,  this  afflictive 

dispensation  might  be  made  a  blessing.     There 

too,  by  that  new-made  grave,  they  sought  to 

realize  that 

"  Dust  thou  art,  to  dust  rclurnest, 
Was  not  spoken  of  tlie  soul." 

The  unpleasant  weather  obliged  them  to  re- 
turn to  their  hut  as  soon  as  the  last  sad  rites 
were  performed,  and  alone  upon  the  liill-top, 
with  that  "cold  November  rain"  beating  down 
upon  his  grave,  they  left  their  late  companion. 
But,  thank  God  !  mourning  friends  leave  only 
the  bodies  of  those  tliey  loved  in  the  tomb ;  the 
spirit  is  no  longer  encased  in  its  clay  tenement. 

Soon  after  the  interment  of  the  second  mate's 
body.  Captain  Coffin  placed  a  barrel-stave  at 
the  head  of  tlie  grave,  and  a  smaller  piece  of 
board  at  tlic  foot.     Bv  the  side  of  it   was   set 


94       CAPTIVE  BOY   IN  TERRA   DEL   FUEGO. 

upriglit   a  board,  having   carved,  in  rude  but 
almost  ineffaceable  letters,  upon  it, 

"  David  E.  Evans,  of  Wales. 

Sailed  from  New  York  iu  ship  Manchester,  of  Nantucket. 
Came  ashore  on  a  piece  of  wreck  29th  August,  1854,  and 
died  here  November  2,  1854,  aged  —  years."  * 

A  large  piece  of  joist  was  then  reared  on  the 
hro-w  (4  the  hill,  with  the  k6pe  that  some  pass- 
ing voyager  might  see  it,  be  induced  to  stop 
and  examine  it,  and  then  carry  the  tidings  of 
the  loss  of  the  ship,  and  the  death  of  the  second 
mate,  to  that  far-off  island  in  the  Atlantic, 
where  so  many  waiting  hearts  were  longing  for 
some  tidings  of  the  missing  vessel.  So,  too, 
the  news  of  Mr.  Evans's  death  might  be  borne 
to  his  early  home,  that  the  mother  who  cradled 
him  in  her  bosom,  and  the  father  who  watched 
over  his  childhood,  might  often  think  of  that 
far  southern  island  and  his  lonely  grave. 

*  Master  Coffin  did  not  remember  liis  age. 


CAPTIVE  BOY  !!$■  TERRA  DEL  FUEGO.         95 


CHAPTER  Y. 

SAVAGE    TRIUMPH. 

Blest  are  they 
That  earth  to  earth  intrust,  for  they  may  knowc. 
And  tend  the  dvvelhng  whence  the  shimberer's  clay 
Shall  rise  at  last,  and  bid  the  young  flowers  bloom 
That  waft  a  breath  of  hope  around  the  tomb. 
And  kneel  upon  the  mossy  turf  and  pray. 

Mrs.  IIemans. 

Time  passed  on  with  rapid  strides,  and  but  few 
events  marked  its  progress  after  the  second 
mate's  death  till  the  21st  day  of  November, 
1854,  which  day  will  also  ever  be  marked  with 
black  in  the  calendar  of  the  orphan  boy,  from 
whose  lips  this  narrative  is  written. 

He  went  on  that  day  with  the  colored  man  to 
the  other  side  of  the  island,  on  some  errand  for 
their  general  benefit.  They  walked  along  the 
seashore  toward  a  promontory  which  forbade  a 
further  view  in  that  direction.  They  reached  the 
point  of  land,  turned  it,  and  lo,  unwelcome 
sight !  there  was  a  canoe  containinc;  natives  in 


9G         CAPTIVE   BOY  IN  TERRA  DEL  FUEGO. 

full  view.  Thomas  called  to  the  colored  man 
to  nin,  for  the  first  impulse  was  to  escape,  fear- 
ing to  fall  into  the  hands  of  merciless  and  cruel 
savages.  The  natives  seemed  to  be  just  landing 
from  their  canoe,  but  George  and  Thomas  did 
not  stop  to  watcli  their  motions.  Throwing 
everything  down  upon  the  shore,  they  rushed 
toward  the  bushes  and  scrambled  through  them. 
The  colored  man  wished  to  stop  in  the  bushes ; 
but  Thomas,  fearing  that  they  might  be  discov- 
ered in  a  hiding-place  so  insecure,  urged  him  to 
continue  his  flight.  They  soon  came  to  a  hill 
whose  brow  was  so  bare  that  they  greatly  feared 
discover}^  should  they  attempt  to  cross  it.  Yet 
there  sccnicd  to  be  no  better  course,  and  by  dint 
of  crawling  on  their  hands  and  knees,  lying,  ser- 
pent-like, as  near  the  ground  as  possible,  they  at 
last  gained  the  other  side.  Glancing  at  the 
natives,  tliey  saw  them  still  huddled  together  in 
their  canoe,  bareheaded,  and  ap])arently  not 
very  well  clad. 

Hastening  on,  they  at  lust  reached  the  little 
hill  near  their  hut,  out  of  breatli,  and  perspiring 
freely  on  account  of  their  vigorous  exertions. 
Botli,  however,  found  strength  enough  to  cry 


CAPTIVE   BOY  IN  TERRA  DEL  FUEGO.         97 

aloud,  "Captain  Coffin!"  "Captain  Coffin!" 
"  Father !  father ! " 

"What  is  it?"  hastily  inquired  the  captain, 
alarmed  by  their  cries. 

"  The  Indians !  the  Indians !  "  shouted  Thomas 
Edward,  for  his  young  imagination,  often  fired 
by  the  accounts  he  had  read,  of  the  cruel  treat- 
ment and.  inhuman  barbarity  sometimes  ex- 
perienced b}'  our  forefathers  at  the  hands  of  the 
aborigines  of  America,  now  connected  the  re- 
membrance of  their  deeds  and  name  with  the 
dark-browed  children  of  Terra  del  Fueo;o,  of 
whom  he  had  obtained  a  glimpse,  and  who,  for 
aught  he  knew,  might  be  cannibals  of  the  direst 
malignity. 

Captain  Coffin  received  the  intelligence  calm- 
ly, lie  had  been  expecting  some  such  discovery 
during  all  their  stay  on  this  island,  and  there- 
fore when  the  unwelcome  tidings  came  he  heard 
it  with  great  composure. 

"  Let  us  go  into  the  house  and  pray,"  was  his 
suggestion,  and  the  others  followed  him  to  the 
inside  of  their  little  shanty.  There  they  knelt 
in  humble  prayer  before  God,  and  the  captain 
offered  a  petition  which  could  not  but  be  urgent 


98         CAPTIVE   BOY  IN  TERRA  DEL  FUEGO. 

and  sincere.  He  well  knew  that  they  possessed 
nothing  with  which  to  bribe  the  natives  to  treat 
them  kindly,  and  that  the  little  which  they  did 
possess  would  but  excite  their  cupidity  without 
satisfying  it.  He  knew  also  tliat  God  had  the 
power  to  influence  their  hearts,  for  "  the  hearts 
of  all  men  are  in  his  hand,"  and  to  him  as  a 
stronger  tower  of  refuge  and  defense  he  fled  on 
this  occasion. 

Rising  from  their  knees  somewhat  resigned 
to  the  will  of  God,  the  little  company  held  a 
consultation  in  order  to  decide  whether  it  would 
be  best  to  go  and  meet  the  natives,  or  to  remain 
where  they  were  and  await  the  dispensations  of 
Providence.  Their  first  act  then  was  to  take 
down  their  flag-staff  from  the  hill,  lest  tlie  natives 
should  see  it,  and  be  attracted  to  their  abode  by  it. 
They  waited  about  an  hour,  and  then  suspense 
could  no  longer  be  borne.  They  wished  to 
know  whether  they  Avcre  still  sole  occupants 
of  the  island  or  not,  and  Thomas,  with  the 
colored  man,  returned  far  enough  toward  the 
natives  to  discern  that  they  had  re-embarked, 
and  that  their  little  canoe  was  far  out  on  the 
ocean,  a  black  speck  upon  the  blue  waters. 


CAPTIVE   BOY  IN  TERKA  DEL  FUEGO.  99 

Feeling  assured  that  they  were  once  more 
freed  from  tlie  presence  of  enemies,  their  next 
plan  was  to  proceed  to  the  little  cove  where  the 
natives  landed,  and  which  was  the  one  in  which 
they  themselves  first  landed,  and  see  if  they 
had  taken  away  their  lumber,  etc.,  which  had 
been  left  there.  They  missed  but  one  paddle, 
and  concluded  that  either  the  covetous  propen- 
sity of  these  natives  was  not  very  great,  or 
that  they  designed  to  return  at  some  future 
period  better  prepared  to  appropriate  more  to 
their  own  use.  It  was  therefore  deemed  wisest 
to  proceed  at  once,  and  as  fast  as  possible,  to 
the  completion  of  their  little  vessel,  that  they 
might  hasten  away  before  their  return.  The 
captain  himself  prepared  the  mast,  oars,  and 
tholc-pins.  That  very  day  they  finished  their 
craft,  and  prepared  for  an  early  start  in  the 
morning. 

The  island  which  was  their  abiding  place  is 
so  far  south,  that  at  certain  seasons  of  the  year 
the  days  are  very  long.  Dawn  appears  very 
soon  after  midnight,  and  the  day  is  ushered  in 
by  the  southern  sun  long  before  he  gilds  the 
tojis  of  the  Rocky  Mountains,  or  the  spires  of 


100       CAFTIVE    BOY  IX  TEltKA  DEL  FUEGO. 

Tsow  England.  It  was  about  three  o'clock  on 
the  morning  of  the  next  day  that  the  little  com- 
pany departed  from  the  island.  Day  soon  after 
commenced,  but  the  weather  was  not  very  clear. 
Previous  to  embarking  Captain  Coffin  offered 
prayer  for  the  last  time,  as  tbcj'^  all  hoped,  in 
their  little  hut,  for  whose  shelter  they  felt  very 
grateful . 

Soon  after  leaving  the  island  it  was  discovered 
that  their  little  vessel  leaked.  Thomas  was 
therefore  stationed  in  the  bottom  of  the  l)oat  to 
bail,  as  well  as  he  could  with  the  ])oor  utensil 
he  could  command,  and  thus  they  hoped  to  keep 
her  free.  Meanwhile  the  captain  and  George 
})ullcd  toward  the  island  near  which  the  ship 
struck,  and  wdiere  a  large  portion  of  her  was 
still  remaining.  What  must  have  been  that 
captain's  emotions  as  he  proceeded  toward  the 
scene  of  his  shipwreck,  and  expected  to  see  in 
the  wreck  mementoes  of  the  dear  wife  he  could 
never  meet  again  on  eai-th !  But  God,  the  All- 
]\Icrciful,  forbade  such  a  renewal  of  his  grief; 
and  ere  he  could  again  stand  upon  a  piece  of  his 
ship  which  sailed  so  proudly  out  of  New  York 
harbor,  he  permitted  him  a  meeting  with  the 


CAPTIVE  BOY  IN  TERKA  DEL  FUEGO.   101 

departed  loved  one  in  the  New  Jerusalem.    But 
again  we  are  anticipating. 

When  they  were  about  half  way  to  the  island 
the  wind,  which  Avas  ahead,  blew  harder,  rising 
almost  to  a  gale.  The  clouds  thickened  and 
gathered  blackness  above  them.  By  and  by, 
with  sudden  force,  the  wind  struck  their  little 
boat,  the  water  foamed  about  them,  and  the 
thick,  fast-falling  flakes  of  snow  almost  blinded 
them.  The  fire,  which  they  had  placed  in  a 
little  tub,  hoping  to  convey  it  safely,  went  out. 
To  the  leeward  was  a  rock,  and  the  water  dashintr 
with  white  tossing  spray  against  it.  Apparent- 
ly the  elements  were  combined  against  them, 
and  the  Storm-King  forbade  their  progress. 
Again  they  hekl  a  consultation  as  to  the  safest 
method  of  procedure.  It  was  decided  to  return, 
and  soori  again  tliey  set  foot  upon  the  island 
they  had  so  lately  left.  They  drew  the  boat  to 
shore,  took  out  their  bread,  nuide  a  fire  in  the 
shelter  of  a  rock,  and  looked  for  shellfish.  The 
snow  had  ceased  to  fall,  and  the  wind  grew  less. 
They  knew  not  the  exact  time,  for  they  had  no 
timepiece  that  was  not  spoiled.  But,  as  near  as 
could  be  judged,  it  was  about  six  o'clock  in  tlie 


102      CAPTIVE   BOY  IN  TERRA  DEL  FUEGO. 

morning  when  the  colored  man  went  up  to  their 
lioiise,  tlie  captain  remaining  on  the  beach,  and 
Thomas  standing  near  the  fire.  Suddenly  Thorn  as 
heard  a  noise  like  that  of  one  scrambling  upon 
rocks.  He  looked  in  the  direction  from  whence 
the  sound  proceeded,  and  heard  at  the  same 
time  several  loud  grunts, — ''  ugh  !  ugh !  "  like  the 
noises  of  a  pig.  One  look  sufficed  to  show  him 
that  the  natives  had  discovered  them,  and  were 
hurrying  toward  tliem. 

These  natives  presented  a  rather  grotesque 
appearance,  but  were  fair  specimens  of  their 
race.  The  only  dress  which  they  wore  was  a 
sort  of  upper  dress  thrown  over  their  shoulders, 
in  shape  somewhat  like  a  lady's  .cape,  only 
longer,  and  was  composed  of  sealskins.  The 
dress  of  both  male  and  female  was  very  similar 
in  appearance,  and  both  allowed  the  hair  to 
hang  down  over  the  forehead,  cut  across  just 
above  the  eyes.  They  were  all  very  filthy  look- 
ing, and  the  odor  proceeding  from  their  vermin- 
covered  bodies,  and  excessively  soiled  clothing, 
was  for  from  acceptable  to  the  olfactories  of  the 
more  cleanly  whites. 

Thomas  felt  impelled  to  run  when  he  first 


CAPTIVE  BOY  IN  TERRA  DEL  FUEGO.   103 

beard  the  noise;  but  a  moment's  reflection 
showed  him  it  would  be  in  vain,  and  might  be 
worse  in  the  end  for  them,  so  he  advanced 
bravely  toward  the  approaching  savages  and 
met  them  with  an  outstretched  hand.  Rather 
an  insincere  welcome  truly  !  but  he  thought  it 
his  duty  to  concihate  these  barbarians,  and  a 
man  will  not  only  give  but  do  almost  anything 
to  save  his  life. 

The  women  so  nearly  resembled  the  men  in 
their  appearance  that  it  was  with  difficulty 
Thomas  could  distinguish  the  sexes.  The  men 
had  no  liair  upon  their  faces,  nor  did  he  see  any 
thus  adorned  during  all  the  time  he  was  with 
these  natives.  Once  he  met  with  a  man  who 
had,  as  he  termed  it,  "grizzly  whiskers,"  but  he 
belonged  to  another  tribe. 

As  Thomas  advanced  to  "  shake  hands  "  with 
the  natives  they  drew  back,  and  seemed  rather 
afraid  of  him.  This  was  evidently  because  they 
thought  the  white  men  and  their  colored  com- 
panion possessed  firearms,  of  which  they  seemed 
to  have  some  knowledge. 

One  womaft  finally  had  courage  to  advance  to- 
ward Thomas,  behig  encouraged  by  his  mimicry 


104   CAPTIVE  BOY  IN  TERRA  DEL  FUEGO. 

of  some  of  their  grotesque  actions.  She  Laughed 
at  his  motions,  and  immediately  commenced 
taking  hold  of  and  examining  him.  The  others 
soon  followed  her  example.  Thomas  thought 
of  the  adventures  of  Captain  Riley  among  the 
Arabs,  about  which  he  had  read  at  his  far-dis- 
tant home,  little  thinking  he  should  ever  expe- 
rience the  same.  One  of  the  natives  took  his 
hat  from  his  head,  but  he  jumped  after  it,  and 
the  native  gave  it  up  to  him.  They  often  re- 
peated a  word  which  sounded  to  Thomas,  as 
near  as  he  can  remember,  like  "piccalilly."  It 
did  not  seem  from  this  expression  that  those 
who  spoke  the  English  language  could  hold  any 
conversation  with  them  ;  but  by  and  by  one  of 
them  asked  for  water,  saying  distinctly,  "  water ! 
water ! " 

"Ah!  talk  English,  can  you?"  exclaimed 
Thomas,  and  then  handed  them  the  sparkling 
fluid.  To  use  his  own  expression  when  narrat- 
ing the  circumstance,  "  they  sucked  it  up  like 
little  pigs." 

After  this  several  of  them  kept  saying  "  ship, 
ship,"  apparently  asking  where  the  shij)  was  in 
whicli  the  white  men  had  reached  the  island. 


CAPTIVE   BOY  IN  TERRA  DEL  FUEGO.       105 

Thomas  made  signs  that  the  ship  was  wrecked 
a  long  distance  from  them ;  and  the  captain  then 
invited  them  into  the  house,  hoping  to  conciliate 
them,  ancl  get  them  away  peacefully,  intending 
to  escape  from  their  vicinity  as  soon  as  possible. 
lie  then  gave  them  some  of  his  biscuit,  which 
they  greedily  ate.  They  had  apparently  been 
Iniuting  for  shellfish  to  appease  tlieir  savage  ap- 
petite, for  they  held  in  their  hands  some  sticks 
which  they  were  accustomed  to  use  for  the  pur- 
pose of  knocking  them  off  the  rocks. 

While  sitting  in  the  hut  one  of  the  natives, 
an  old  gray-haired  man,  seemed  to  take  a  par- 
ticular fancy  to  Captain  Coffin,  and  manifested 
his  regard  by 'sitting  near  him,  smoothing  the 
captain's  hair,  and  parting  it  in  a  manner  pleas- 
ing to  savage  taste. 

The  captain  was  suspicious  of  his  extreme 
friendliness,  and  said  aside,  to  his  son  and 
George,  "  Keep  an  eye  on  that  old  man." 

In  a  short  time  one  of  the  natives  evinced  a 
determination  to  take  away  their  boat-sail ;  but 
this  the  captain  could  not  allow,  and  desired  him 
to  desist.  Meanwhile  one  native  had  seized  a 
bolt  and  stood  behind  the  captain  with   it  in 


106   CAPTIVE  BOY  IN  TERRA  DEL  FUEGO. 

his  hand.  Discovering  this,  the  captain  thought 
it  prudent  to  go  out  into  the  open  air,  and  made 
signs  to  the  natives  that  he  had  no  more  to  give. 
They  appeared  to  receive  the  intelligence  peace- 
ably, and  began  to  go  away.  One  of  them  asked 
Thomas,  by  signs,  if  they  had  any  firearms.  He 
believing  it  to  be  necessary  to  intimidate  them 
answered  "  yes,"  although,  in  truth,  they  had 
none,  or  indeed  scarcely  any  weapon  of  defense. 
At  last  the  natives  moved  away,  and  seemed  as 
if  they  would,  depart  and  leave  the  civilized 
trio  once  more  in  peace.  They  reached  tlie  top 
of  the  hill  and  then  paused.  In  a  few  minutes 
one  returned,  ap})arently  as  errand  boy  for  the 
rest,  and  demanded  the  clothing  which  the  ship- 
wrecked mariners  wore,  saying  in  English, 
"  Shirt !  shirt !  " 

The  captain  remonstrated,  saying  they  would 
freeze  without  clothing ;  for  in  that  country,  in 
the  inclement  weather  which  often  prevailed, 
such  would  surely  be  the  case. 

The  eyes  of  the  najiive  flashed  with  indigna- 
tion. Captain  Coffin  saw  it,  and  exclaimed, 
"  Get  me  a  bolt !  they  are  treacherous ! "  He 
received  one,  and  said  to  the  others,  "  Defend 


CAPTIVE    T^OY   IX  TKr.R.V  DEL  EUEGO,       107 

yourselves."  The  other  natives  were  by  this  time 
o-athered  aroimd.  One  of  them  twisted  the  bolt 
out  of  Captain  Coffin's  hands,  and  with  another 
native  jumped  on  him,  pressing  him  almost  to 
the  earth,  and  he  walked  several  steps  over  the 
rocks  and  stones  with  these  natives  upon  him. 
Tliose  who  remember  Captain  Coffin  as  a  stout, 
strong  man  when  he  left  Nantucket,  may  won- 
der that  he  could  not  overpower  some  of  his 
enemies ;  but  it  shouUl  be  remembered  that  lie 
was  now  worn  l)y  illness  and  sorrow,  and  that 
he  was  attacked  by  several  natives  at  once, 
whose  savage  ferocity  added  to  their  uncommon 
strength. 

It  was  the  same  old  native  who  seemed  so 
fond  of  the  captain  that  now  appeared  his  im- 
placable enemy.  Thomas,  seeing  his  father  thus 
beset,  struck  at  one  of  the  natives  with  a  pole, 
which  caused  him  to  leave  Captain  Coffin  and 
run  after  Thomas,  but  he  soon  wearied  of  the  pur- 
suit, for  the  lad  was  young  and  active.  Mean- 
while the  colored  man  with  his  bolt  had  knocked 
two  of  the  natives  to  the  earth.  Had  Captain 
Coffin  only  done  the  same  when  their  looks 
warned  hhn  of  treachery  he  might  have  had  the 


108   CAPTIVE  BOY  IN  TERRA  DEL  FUEGO. 

mastery  over  tliciii ;  but  he  was  broken  in  con- 
stitution and  in  spirit,  and  would  not  use  his 
weapon  save  in  the  extreraest  necessity  for  self- 
defense. 

Before  Thomas  could  again  reach  his  father, 
the  same  old  savage  who  had  manifested  so 
much  regard  for  him  in  the  house  now  showed 
his  real  enmity,  for  he  contended  with  the  cap- 
tain, who  defended  himself  "  at  fearful  odds," 
till  suddenly  the  bolt  of  the  savage  descended 
with  demon  energy,  and  the  captain  fell,  a  deep 
gash  being  cut  by  the  bolt  over  one  eye,  leaving 
that  eye  lying  on  the  cheek,  and  a  portion  of 
the  brain  oozing  out  of  the  orifice.  At  this 
sight  Thomas  became  almost  frantic  with  grief. 
Forgetting  the  danger  which  might  accrue  to 
himself,  he  rushed  to  his  father's  side,  and  tried 
to  carry  him  to  tlie  boat,  which  was  not  far  dis- 
tant, but  his  strength  was  insufficient.  The 
natives  now  ran  for  their  spears,  which  had  been 
left  on  the  hill.  One  man  about  this  time 
knocked  the  colored  man  on  the  head  with  a 
club.  With  all  the  earnestness  which  a  loving 
son  might  be  expected  to  feel  at  such  a  time, 
Thomas  cried  out,  "  George,  take  hold  !  "    But 


Escaping   from   the   Savawt'S. 


CAPTIVE   BOY  IN  TERRA  DEL  FUEGO.       Ill 

instead  of  coming  to  bis  aid  in  lifting  the  body 
of  tbat  dear  father,  the  colored  man  began  to 
beg  of  the  returning  natives  for  life. 

"  Take  ns,"  cried  he,  "  but  don't  kill  us." 
"  Jump  into  the  boat,"  shouted  Thomas,  who 
saw  with  more  than  boyish  foresight  that  they 
must  speedily  escape  or  not  at  all.  As  he  spoke 
he  pushed  the  boat  off  with  unnatural  strength, 
furnished,  doubtless,  under  Providence,  by  the 
excitement  of  the  occasion.  The  colored  man 
succeeded  in  reaching  the  boat,  but  they  had 
scarcely  shoved  from  the  shore  when  George  fell 
overboard.  He  swam  along,  however,  for  a  while 
by  the  side  of  the  boat.  The  natives  had  now 
run  down  to  the  shore,  and  just  at  that  moment 
Thomas  perceived  that  the  painter  was  still 
lying  on  the  rocks,  although  not  fastened.  As 
the  boat  moved  up,  the  rope  was  drawn  along  on 
the  rocks,  and  the  natives  espying  it,  hurried  to 
catch  hold  of  it ;  thus  hoping  to  secure  the  boat 
and  the  two  human  beings  to  whom  it  was  now 
an  ark  of  safety. 

The  colored  man,  however,  was  able  to  haul 
it  in  fast  enough,  so  that,  just  as  the  natives  were 
near  enough  to  seize  it  the  next  moment,  the 


112   CArxiVE  BOY  IN  TERUA  DEL  FUEGO. 

end  dropped  into  the  water.  A  spear  was 
thrown  by  a  woman  during  tlie  confusion,  which 
broke  in  Thomas's  jacket  sleeve.  One  man  with 
two  si:>ears  in  his  hand  darted  nimbly  up  the 
rocks  along  the  shore  till  he  stood  near  the  boat 
and  above  it,  then  hurled  a  rock  down  into  the 
boat,  where  it  broke  without  doing  any  damage, 
lie  then  picked  up  large  pieces  of  the  rocks 
and  threw  at  them.  One  of  these  stones  struck 
Tliomas  on  the  head,  and  made  a  gash,  from 
which  the  blood  flowed  profusely,  and  the  mark 
of  which  he  will  bear  with  him  to  the  grave. 
Meantime  the  boat  had  got  down  into  the  bay, 
and  the  colored  man  was  then  able  to  get  on 
board. 

They  were  now  out  of  reach  of  their  savage 
enemies,  but  anxiety  to  know  the  further  fate 
of  his  dear  father  forbade  Thomas  to  go  away 
in  the  boat  at  present.  Yet  their  own  safety 
seemed  to  demand  it,  as  the  savages  might  take 
their  own  canoe  and  come  after  them.  Thej^ 
therefore,  took  each  an  oar  and  rowed  away.  In 
rowing  they  sat  with  their  faces  toward  the  shore, 
and  it  was  with  inexpressible  emotions  of  grief 
and  anffuish  that  the  son  saw  the  inhuman  treat- 


CAPTIVE  BOY  IN  TERRA  DEL  FUEGO.   113 

nient  bestowed  by  those  wretches  on  his  father, 
then  happily  insensible.  Thomas  had  left  the 
body  lying  there  with  indescribable  emotions  of 
regret,  and  when  he  now  saw  the  rude  and 
cruel  savages  throwing  stones  at  his  prostrate 
father  his  sorrow  and  indignation  knew  no 
bounds.  He  could  plainly  see  the  body  quiver 
convulsively  when  struck  by  the  missiles  from 
the  unerring  hand  of  those  barbarians,  and 
one  cannot  wonder  that  revenge  burned  witli 
fierce  emotion  within  his  bosom.  Yet  he  knew 
he  was  powerless  to  punish  his  father's  mur- 
derers ;  nor  could  he  even  secure  the  mangled 
body  of  that  dear  parent  from  their  pitiless 
indignities.  All  that  he  could  do  was  to  con- 
tinue rowing,  and  sufier  the  unchecked  tears 
to  flow  rapidly  down  his  youthful  cheeks.  O, 
who  can  tell,  who  can  imagine,  the  wild 
tumult  of  those  waves  of  sorrowful  emotion 
which  swept  over  his  bosom  in  that  dark, 
terrible  hour ! 

Never  while  that  son  lives  can  he  forget  the 
horrors  of  that  dreadful  day  !  Should  he  join 
in  the  gayest  scenes  of  this  world's  pleasm-o,  as 
the  young  are  prone  to  do ;  should  he  laugh  as 


114   CAPTIVE  BOY  IN  TERRA  DEL  FUEGO. 

loudly  as  the  merriest  of  his  comrades,  down 
deep  in  his  heart  will  the  memories  rankle, 
which,  in  visions  of  the  night,  and  in  his 
thoughtful  waking  moments,  will  paint  vividly 
to  his  imagination  the  fearful  scenes  of  that 
Bad  and  awful  day.  Thomas  being  naturally  of 
a  cheerful,  hopeful  nature,  looking  on  the  bright 
side  of  events,  and  trusting  in  the  love  and 
mercy  of  his  heavenlj^  Father,  was  not  affected 
by  these  things  so  sensibly  as  he  would  have 
been  had  he  possessed  a  desponding  tempera- 
ment ;  and  it  is  well  that  Time,  the  great  healer 
of  wounds,  brings  him  solace,  and,  at  times, 
forgetfulness.  No  sympathizing  person  would 
wish  all  the  years  of  his  life  to  be  imbittered 
by  the  always  recurring  memory  of  those  hor- 
rible events. 

As  Thomas  sat  thus  in  the  boat  he  remem- 
bered the  awful  shriek  which  his  father  uttered 
as  he  fell  stunned  to  the  ground;  but  he 
thought  from  the  nature  of  the  terrible  woimd 
he  at  first  received  that  during  the  stoning  he 
was  insensible,  and  there  was  a  single  ray  of 
comfort  in  that  thought. 

Thomas  was  now  a  lonely  orphan  boy ;  his 


CAPTIVE  BOY  IN  TERRA  DEL  FUEGO.   115 

living  relatives  all  far  away,  and  the  prospect 
exceedingly  faint  that  he  would  ever  reach 
them.  Yet,  as  the  n-arrative  will  show,  in  his 
subsequent  captivity  he  realized  in  his  own 
experiences  what  others  have  often  found  in 
theirs,  "  When  my  father  and  my  mother  for- 
sake me,  then  the  Lord  will  take  me  up." 


116       CAPTIVE  BOY  IN  TERRA  DEL  FUEGO. 


CHAPTER  VI. 

THE  ESCAPE.  * 

The  strife  is  o'er !  The  loved  of  years, 
To  whom  our  yearning  hearts  had  grown, 

Hath  left  us,  with  Hfe's  gath'ring  fears 
To  struggle  darkly  and  alone. — Wm.  H.  Bubleigh. 

Ay,  turn  and  weep,  'tis  manliness 

To  bo  heart-broken  here ; 
For  the  grave  of  earth's  best  nobleness 
^         Is  watered  by  a  tear. — N.  P.  Willis. 

When  tlicy  could  no  longer  discern  the  form  of 
the  unfortunate  captain  there  was  no  more  in- 
ducement to  remain  in  that  vicinity,  and  there- 
fore Geoi'ge  and  Thomas  rapidly  plied  their 
oars,  and  soon  reached  the  island  of  their  desti- 
nation, which  was  the  same  they  attempted  in 
vain  to  reach  on  the  morning  of  that  dreadful 
day. 

AVhen  about  half  way  across  Thomas  called 
tlie  attention  of  his  companion  to  a  smoke 
which  was  rising  from  a  small  island  which 
they  had  never  before  approached.     They  had 


CAPTIVE  EOY  IN  TERKA  DEL  FUEGO.   117 

probably  seen  it,  for,  as  was  stated  before,  Terra 
del  Fuego,  which  is  usually  marked  on  the  maps 
as  one  large  island,  is  really  a  cluster  of  islands 
of  various  sizes,  and  from  the  high  ground  on 
the  one  which  they  had  recently  occupied,  many 
of  the  islands  in  this  archipelago  can  be  seen. 
It  is  possible  that  this  smoke  might  have  been 
caused  by  a  survivor  from  their  own  shipwi-eck, 
though  Thomas  thinks  it  improbable  that  any 
but  those  whom  he  knew  were  safe  should  reach 
the  land  ;  and  that  it  is  far  more  likely  that  the 
island  was  at  that  time  the  abode  of  some  of 
the  natives  belonging  to  the  country.  Yet  the 
hearts  of  many  survivors  would  rejoice,  and  the 
fears  of  many  be  allayed,  while  at  the  same  time 
some  new  discoveries  might  be  made,  should 
our  government  send  thither  a  vessel  suited  to 
such  an  expedition,  and  rescue  every  captive 
which  mio;ht  there  be  found  from  the  crallinir 
chains  of  involuntary  servitude,  restoring  him 
to  liberty  and  home. 

The  first  act  of  the  survivors  when  they 
reached  the  sliore  and  secured  their  invaluable 
boat  was  to  kneel  down  and  thank  God  for 
their  deliverance ;  and  if,  with  the  prayers  and 


118      CAPTIVE   BOY  IN  TERRA  DEL  FUEGO. 

praises  which  Thomas  uttered  in  sincerity,  tears 
and  groans  were  mingled  as  he  thought  of  that 
dear  murdered  father,  who  can  wonder ! 

The  next  act  was  to  ascend  a  hill  and  obtain 
from  thence  a  view  of  the  island.  The  first  ob- 
ject which  attracted  their  attention  after  reach- 
ing the  brow  of  the  hill  was  a  part  of  the  ill- 
fated  "  Manchester." 

"  There's  somebody  alive  there ! "  exclaimed 
the  colored  man  ;  "  I  can  see  some  clothes  hang- 
ing out." 

For  a  moment  the  hopes  of  both  were  raised 
to  the  anticipation  of  having  one  or  more  com- 
panions in  their  exile,  by  whose  aid  they  would 
sooner  reach  the  civilized  world.  But  their 
liopcs  were  illusive,  and  Thomas  mournfully 
answered,  "No,  it  is  only  a  sail."  And  so,  in 
fact,  they  found  it  when  they  reached  the 
wreck  and  climbed  on  board. 

O  how  many  reminiscences  of  the  past  did 
this  shattered,  storm-beaten  hulk  call  uj)  to  their 
minds !  The  sight  of  it  renewed  the  sad  memory 
of  the  solemn  scenes  of  the  shipwreck,  and  the 
grief  w^liich  that  warm-hearted  son  liad  hitherto 
felt  on   account  of  his  mother's  loss  was  now 


CAPTIVE   BOY  IN  TERRA  DEL  FUEGO.       110 

Leightened  as  he  remembered  the  cruel  fate  of 
his  father.  What  feeling  heart  but  must  be 
moved  to  pity  as  it  contemplates  the  loneliness 
and  sorrow  of  that  night  to  tlie  orphan  boy ! 

After  searching  all  parts  of  the  wreck,  hoping 
to  find  articles  which  would  be  of  service  in 
prolonging  their  lives  and  aiding  in  their  escape, 
they  succeeded  in  obtaining  possession  of  a 
cai*ving  knife,  a  coflee-mill,  some  canes  which  the 
second  mate  had  made  for  his  friends  at  home, 
still  hanging  where  he  placed  them,  a  monkey- 
jacket,  a  blanket  which  was  twisted  round  the. 
rail,  a  part  of  a  heavy  hawser,  part  of  a  lantern, 
with  the  oil  contained  in  which  they  greased 
their  jack-knives,  four  sail-needles,  four  fish- 
hooks, some  files,  and  plenty  of  nails  and  iron, 
which  they  hoped  to  make  available  in  case  of 
meeting  with  friendly  natives. 

By  dint  of  hard  labor  they  made  a  new  mast 
for  the  boat,  the  old  one  being  at  the  other 
island,  bailed  her  out,  and  put  up  a  sail.  As 
starvation  now  stared  them  in  the  face,  they 
thought  it  best  to  go  back  to  the  island  from 
whence  they  had  come.  Their  hope  of  finding 
provisions  near  the  wi-eck  was  extinguished,  and 


120      CAPTIVE   BOY  IN  TEllKA  DEL  FUEGO. 

necessity  seemed  to  demand  a  return.  As  the 
natives  had  not  yet  come  after  them,  they  now 
supposed  that  they  had  left  the  island,  being 
satisfied  with  their  work  of  destruction  and  their 
savage  triumph.  So,  commending  themselves 
to  Providence,  they  went  back.  As  the  wind 
was  fair  and  their  sail  set,  they  were  but  a  short 
time  in  retm*ning. 

When  they  reached  the  little  bay  the  wind 
suddenly  ceased,  and  they  were  obliged  to 
take  to  their  oars.  They  looked  cautiously  on 
all  sides  to  see  if  any  natives  were  there,  but 
seeing  no  signs  of  the  barbarians  they  ventured 
nearer  and  nearer.  Thomas  thought  that  even 
after  all  his  sufferings  it  was  possible  his  dear 
father  might  be  "  in  the  land  of  the  living." 
As  "  the  drowning  man  will  catch  at  a  straw," 
so  he  clung  to  the  hope  till  the  sad  reality  burst 
upon  his  vision  and  blighte J  that  hope  forever. 

"  O,  George,  he  is  living !  "  was  the  hasty  ex- 
clamation of  the  orphan,  but  his  companion  sig- 
nified his  incredulity.  A  few  strokes  more  and 
the  beach  is  touched.  Thomas  sprang  ashore, 
and  went  up  to  the  body  of  his  father.  Placing 
his  hand  on  the  captain's  side  he  waited,  hoping 


CAPTIVE  BOY  IN  TERRA  DEL  FUEGO.   121 

tlie  heart  was  still  beating.  But  no !  The  suf- 
ferings of  the  weary-hearted  captain  were  over. 
God  had  taken  him  to  tlie  land  of  rest.  The 
son,  still  bending  over  the  prostrate  form,  with 
tears  placed  his  Hand  on  his  father's  cheeks. 
They  were  icy  cold.  The  rocks  around  were 
crimsoned  with  his  blood.  The  eye,  which  was 
protruding,  or  rather  suspended,  as  it  were,  upon 
the  cheek  when  Thomas  left  him  last,  was  gone  ; 
taken  as  a  trophy,  probably,  by  the  savage  mur- 
derers. The  right  eye  still  remained.  Upon 
the  forehead  was  a  gash,  probably  caused  by 
one  of  the  stones  which  wore  thrown  at  him 
after  he  fell. 

The  natives  had  taken  the  pillows  from  the 
house,  and  stripped  the  clothes  from  the  body 
of  the  murdered  man,  cutting  his  boots  down 
to  get  them  off,  but  leaving  them  behind. 

Most  gladly  would  that  dutiful  son  have 
stayed  there  long  enough  to  bury  the  body  of 
his  father ;  but  from  the  fact  that  the  natives 
had  not  taken  everything,  he  feared  they  might 
not  be  far  distant  and  would  soon  retura.  If 
discovered  by  those  merciless  wretches,  their  own 
lives  might  pay  for  their  temerify  in  returning 


122   CAPTIVE  BOY  IN  TERRA  DEL  FUEGO, 

thither.  So  they  hastily  took  the  two  barrels, 
containing  bread,  on  board,  and  started  to  return 
to  Wreck  Island,  as  they  called  it. 

It  was  not  till  after  a  severe  straggle  that  the 
young  orphan  decided  to  leave  the  unburied 
body  of  his  father.  He  would  have  given 
money  without  measure,  if  he  could  have  pur- 
chased one  short  hour  only  in  which  to  bury 
him  decently,  where  no  cannibals  or  voracious 
birds  would  prey  upon  his  remains.  Few  boys 
at  his  age,  (only  about  sixteen,)  are  called  to 
lose  both  parents  under  such  distressing  circum- 
stances, and  few  could  have  borne  their  bereave- 
ment and  trials  with  a  spirit  so  manly  and 
brave. 

The  weather  being  unfavorable  they  made  l>ut 
little  progress  toward  "Wreck  Island ;  and  finally, 
as  it  grew  more  and  more  stormy,  were  obliged 
to  seek  shelter  in  a  little  cove  of  the  same 
island  on  which  the  captain's  body  was  lying. 
Not  daring  to  go  on  shore  to  sleep,  they  re- 
mained in  the  boat,  and  as  she  leaked  badly 
were  obliged  to  bail  all  night,  and  were  a  part  of 
the  time  up  to  their  knees  in  water.  On  account 
of  the  stormy  weather  the  water  would  rush 


CAPTIVE  BOY  IK  TERRA  DEL  FUEGO.    123 

into  tlie  cove  with  great  force,  carrying  them 
along  with  it  toward  the  rocks,  and  then,  as 
rapidly  receding,  would  hurl  them  back  again, 
so  that  they  were  in  a  perilous  situation  tlirough 
the  dreary  night,  during  which  the  instinct  of 
self-preservation  bade  them  watch,  though  from 
physical  exhaustion  they  would  gladly  have 
souglit  "  Tired  nature's  sweet  restorer,  balmy 
sleep ! " 

He  who  "  holds  the  winds  in  his  fist  and  the 
waters  in  the  hollow  of  his  hand"  preserved 
them;  and  on  the  next  morning  they  started  for 
Wreck  Island  again.  In  their  progress  round 
the  island  on  which  the  natives  met  them,  they 
saw  in  one  place  a  shore  where  the  surf  broke 
upon  the  beach,  reminding  them  of  the  some- 
what famous  "  South  Shore "  of  their  far-oft* 
home,  Nantucket.  But,  as  a  general  thing,  the 
coast  of  that  island  was  rocky,  with  occasional 
sheltered  coves. 

After  considerable  effort  they  reached  Wreck 
Island,  intending  to  remain  there  but  a  short 
time,  and  then  proceed  northward;  but  con- 
traiy  winds  and  stormy  weather  prevented 
them  frojn   executing    this    design,   and  they 


124   CAPTIVE  BOY  IN  TERRA  DEL  FUEGO, 

remained  there  till  the  last  of  December,  living 
mostly  on  the  bread  they  had  secured  from  the 
other  island,  and  sleeping  during  the  dreary 
nights  upon  the  wreck,  having  fitted  up  a  part 
of  it  as  well  as  they  could  for  their  accommo- 
dation. The  wreck  was  only  a  portion  of  the 
forward  part  of  the  vessel. 

A  part  of  tlie  occupation  of  each  day  was  to 
ascend  some  eminence  in  the  vicinity,  and  watch 
anxiously,  fearing  tlie  approach  of  the  natives. 
They  could  not  but  expect  a  visit  from  them, 
and  they  wished  to  be  informed  in  season  to 
make  preparations  for  their  safety  by  flight. 

The  weather  about  this  time  was  exceedingly 
unsettled  and  unpleasant,  which  was  probably 
one  reason  why  the  natives  did  not  follow  them. 
Adding  to  their  discomfort,  was  the  fact  that 
they  had  no  fire  for  three  months  after  the  cap- 
tain's death. 

A  little  adventure  occurring  one  day  served 
to  enliven  the  dreary  monotony  of  their  exist- 
ence, and  draw  away  their  thoughts  from  their 
^ad  situation.  Thomas  was  lying  upon  the 
wreck  one  Sunday  afternoon,  (for  having  but 
little  employment  he  was  accustomed  to  sleep 


CAPTIVE   BOY  IN  TERRA  DEL  FUEGO.      125 

whenever  it  was  possible,  hoping  thus  to  forget 
his  sorrows,)  when  suddenly  he  espied  a  seal 
upon  the  shore.  It  was  a  large  one,  and  its  fur 
would  have  been  very  acceptable  in  such  a 
region  to  the  castaways ;  but  although  they 
made  all  possible  haste,  the  animal  rushed  into 
the  water  and  soon  disappeared.  This  was  the 
only  seal  which  they  saw  in  that  vicinity.  Yet 
the  fact  that  the  natives  were  di-essed  in  seal- 
skins seems  to  prove  that  they  were  to  be  found 
on  other  parts  of  Terra  del  Fuego. 

It  will  be  perceived  from  this  reference  to  the 
day  of  the  week  that  Thomas  had  still  in  his 
possession  the  notched  stick  used  by  his  father 
to  mark  the  flight  of  time. 

Besides  the  seal,  no  living  thing  save  shellfish 
was  seen  by  these  shipwrecked  ones,  except  that 
iat  times  a  few  birds  about  the  size  of  ducks 
came  into  view.  But  this  was  rarely  the  case. 
Thomas  saw  four  or  five  of  the  nests  of  these 
birds,  and  a  few  of  their  little  ones,  whose  color 
was  grayish.  They  had  no  feathers  on  their 
wings,  which  they  used  as  penguins  do,  more  to 
aid  them  in  swimming  than  in  flying.  Thomas 
and  his  companion  endeavored  to  catch  these 


12()       CAPTIVE   BOY  IN  TERRA  DEL  FUEGO. 

birds,  ill  order  to  add  tlicm  to  their  scanty  stock 
of  provisions,  but  with  very  little  success. 

During  their  long  tarry  at  Wreck  Island  they 
made  one  unsuccessful  attempt  to  reach  an 
island  farther  north.  But  it  rained,  and  the 
weather  was  every  way  so  unfavorable  that  they 
relinquished  their  attempt,  and  returned  almost 
disheartened,  and  with  their  clothes  entirely 
soaked.  But  even  on  board  the  wreck  they 
were  not  always  free  from  care  and  discomfort. 
In  fact  Thomas  found  his  sojourn  in  Terra  del 
Fuego  far  more  uncomfortable,  to  say  the  least, 
than  his  love  of  adventure  could  desire  or  make 
acceptable.  He  awoke  one  night  feeling  an 
unusual  weight  of  care  in  rclerence  to  their 
little  l)oat,  for  he  well  knew  that  upon  its  safety 
depended  their  chance  for  life  and  liberty.  He 
wakened  his  colored  comrade  and  requested  him 
to  aid  in  securing  her.  George,  with  his  charac- 
teristic indolence  and  want  of  foresight,  at  first 
demurred;  but  as  Thomas  insisted,. he  finally 
arose,  and  they  secured  it.  In  the  morning 
they  found  the  wreck  in  such  proximity  to  the 
rocks  that  had  they  not  secured  the  boat  in 
time,  to  use  Thomas'  own    expressive  words, 


CAPTIVE  BOY  IX  TERRA  DEL  FUEGO.   127 

"  slie  would  have  been  smashed,"  and  with  her 
would  have  gone  every  prospect  of  delivery 
from  their  unhappy  exile. 

They  were  sometimes  exposed  to  danger  of 
life  and  limb  while  climbing  the  rocks  in  search 
of  shellfish.  On  one  such  occasion,  when  George 
had  secured  a  large  quantity  of  limpets,  he  fell 
over  a  precipice,  striking  his  head  against  the 
rocks,  and  losing  his  tub  of  shellfish  in  the 
water,  into  which  he  finally  fell  iiimself.  His 
clothes  were,  of  course,  thoroughly  saturated 
with  the  cold  sea- water;  but  he  could  do  no 
better  when  he  reached  the  wreck  than  t^  take 
ofi:'  his  cold,  wet  clothes',  wring  them  as  dry  as 
possible,  and  put  them  on  again  uncomfortable 
as  they  were. 

There  were  at  the  time  of  the  shipwreck  several 
pieces  of  wood  nailed  on  various  parts  of  the  ship 
upon  which  was  painted  the  ship's  name.  These 
Captain  Coffin  caused  to  be  taken  oti'  and 
thrown  into  the  sea,  with  the  hope  that  by  this 
moans,  if  by  no  other,  some  intelligence  of  tlie 
ill-fated  '*  Manchester  "  might  be  carried  to  lier 
I'ar-oiT  owners.  They  also  threw  over  casks, 
hoping  they  also  would  be  discovered,  and  tell 


128      CAPTIVE   BOY  IN  TERRA  DEL  FUEGO. 

the  tale  of  their  shipwreck.  They  know  the 
tidings  would  be  sad  and  heartrending  to  the 
loved  ones  at  home,  but  still  they  thought  that 
any  intelligence  would  be  better  tlian  the  ter- 
rible suspense  which  would  be  felt  if  they  were 
among  the  merely  "  missing  vessels  "  over  which 
so  many,  many  hearts  are  made  to  mourn. 

Some  other  ships  had  once  evidently  been 
lost  in  that  vicinity,  for  on  one  of  those  islands 
they  found  a  piece  of  sheathing  which  Captain 
Coffin  thought  must  have  belonged  to  some 
wluiler  whose  voyage  had  sadly  ended  on  the 
inhospitable  coast  of  Terra  del  Fuego. 

In  their  search  for  eatables  on  this  and  the 
other  islands  they  found  some  red  berries^ 
which  were  not  very  palatable,  but  which, 
when  afterward  pressed  by  Imnger,  they  were 
glad  to  obtain.  The  natives,  as  they  learned 
afterward,  were  accustomed  to  call  these,  as  well 
as  every  other  edible,  by  a  name  which  sounded 
like  "  galeeta." 

One  day  George  and  Thomas  went  on  an  ex- 
cursion to  the  other  side  of  the  island.  It  was 
a  very  pleasant  day  for  that  season  of  the  year, 
though  the  wind  was  high  and  the  sea  rough, 


CAPTIVE  BOY  IN  TERRA  DEL  FUEGO,   129 

Far  off  upon  the  blue  waters  Thomas  thought 
he  espied  a  canoe,  and  horror  iilled  his  soul  as 
he  thought  it  might  be  the  same  merciless  sav- 
ages vdio  murdered  his  dear  father,  now  coming 
to  finirih  their  work  of  cruelty  by  taking  their 
lives  also.  But  ere  long  they  joyfully  perceived 
that  the  black  object  was  only  a  rock. 

On  one  of  these  excursions  they  discovered 
the  billet-head  of  the  "  Manchester,"  which  had 
washed  ashore.  All  the  gilding  which  once 
adorned  it  was  washed  away,  and  it  presented 
a  very  different  appearance  from  that  which  it 
wore  when  it  ornamented  the  bow  of  the  gallant 
ship. 

At  last  George  and  Thomas  started  for  San 
Carlos.  The  night  previous  to  their  embark- 
ation they  passed  as  usual  on  board  the  wreck, 
to  which  also  their  boat  was  fastened.  An  un- 
usually high  tide  floated  the  wreck  during  the 
night,  and  they  awoke  to  find,  witli  great  as- 
tonishment, that  they  were  already  far  out  on 
the  ocean.  Happily,  their  boat  being  fastened 
to  the  wreck,  they  were  relieved  from  the 
anxiety  they  would  otherwise  have  felt,  and  the 
sufl:ering  they  might  have  experienced,    Thomaio 


130   CAPTIVE  BOY  IN  TERRA  DEL  FUEGO. 

now  urged  an  immediate  departure  in  tlieir 
boat  for  the  other  island  in  the  direction  of  San 
Carlos,  and  succeeded  in  overruling  the  objec- 
tions offered  by  his  more  timid  companion,  so 
that  they  started,  leaving  the  wreck  on  whose 
deck  they  once  stood  as  it  sailed  proudly  out  of 
Kew  York  harbor,  to  float,  perhaps  for  years, 
upon  a  stormy  sea,  and  at  last  be  overtaken  by 
some  ship  whose  crew  will  wonder  at  its  origin 
and  the  fate  of  its  former  inhabitants,  or  to 
strike  again  upon  some  desolate  island,  and  fal|:.^ 
to  pieces  at  last  among  its  rocks  and  breakers. 

On  they  went,  rowing  laboriously  but  hope- 
fully. Soon  tliey  reached  a  small  island.  The 
colored  man,  leaving  Thomas  in  charge  of  the 
boat,  went  up  to  reconnoiter.  As  he  stayed 
some  time  Thomas  became  im])atient  and  fol- 
lowed liim ;  but  in  the  mean  time  George  re- 
turned to  tlie  boat  from  another  direction,  so 
that  they  did  not  meet.  George  was  much 
alarmed,  fearing  Thomus  had  fallen  overboard  ; 
and  Thomas  was  equally  alarmed,  but  kept 
calling  to  his  comrade,  and  as  he  could  see 
no  trace  of  him  he  returned  to  the  boat,  still 
culling  "George,  George!"     Soon  the  call  was 


CAPTIVE  BOY  IN  TERRA  DEL  FUEGO,   131 

joyfully  beard,  and  tlie  prompt  answer  as  joy- 
fully received.  In  the  course  of  their  wander- 
ings on  this  island  they  discovered  beyond  it 
many  islands,  some  of  them  only  a  few  rods 
square,  with  the  water  breaking  over  them. 

On,  on  they  went,  passing  many  of  the  little 
islands,  pausing  not  even  to  partake  of  food,  so 
great  was  their  desire  to  speed  far  away  from 
the  land  of  their  shipwreck  and  sorrow  toward 
the  land  of  freedom  and  civilization. 
:  The  wind,  which  had  been  gradually  rising 
all  the  morning,  now  blew  almost  a  hurri- 
cane, and  they  were  compelled  to  pause  at  one 
of  the  islands  on  their  wscy.  They  had  taken 
some  boards  in  their  boat  for  the  purpose  of 
making  a  tent  with  their  sail,  and  having 
secured  their  boat  they  ensconced  themselves 
beneath  it,  and  partook  of  their  simple  break- 
fast. Although  they  had  but  one  article  they 
were  not  sparing  of  that,  deeming  their  exer- 
tions deserved,  as  their  appetites  demanded,  an 
extra  meal,  and  therefore  ate  no  less  than  seven 
biscuits  apiece. 

In  a  short  tune  the  wind  calmed  away  some- 
what, and  they  started  again.    After  pulling  all 


132   CAPTIVE  BOY  IN  TERRA  DEL  FUEGO. 

tlic  rest  of  the  forenoon  and  a  part  of  tlie  after- 
noon tliey  thought  it  best  to  stop  at  some  island 
and  rest.  Soon  they  came  to  another  small 
island,  and  rowed  into  one  of  its  sheltered 
coves,  after  looking  about  carefully  and  seeing 
no  natives.  Thomas  remained  by  the  boat 
while  the  colored  man  again  went  up  to  make 
a  more  extended  survey  of  the  island.  When 
he  returned  he  brought  the  intelligence  that  he 
had  seen  near  a  rock  the  remains  of  a  fire,  and 
some  signs  of  a  native  hut.  They  therefore 
took  all  the  things  they  had  previously  landed 
back~into  the  boat,  and  slept  on  board  during 
the  night,  which  passed  peacefully  away.  Here 
they  secured  a  lot  of  wild  parsley,  which  was 
tolerably  palatable  to  them.  They  remained 
on  this  island  several  days  on  account  of  the 
high  winds,  but  saw  no  further  traces  of  any 
natives.  When  at  last  they  started  again  they 
kept  along  under  the  lee  of  a  high  bluff, 
frequently  going  ashore. 

Ere  long  they  saw  a  large  island  in  the  dis- 
tance, and  concluded  to  go  thither.  It  was 
now,  by  their  calculation  on  the  notched  stick, 
the  first  day  of  January,  1855.     The  return  of 


CAPTIVE   BOY  IN  TERKA  DEL  FUEGO.       133 

tliis  anniversary,  so  interesting  to  cliildliood  und 
youth,  who  connect  gifts  and  good  cheer  with 
New  Year's  day,  recalled  forcibly  to  the  mind 
of  the  orphan  boy  the  many  and  sorrowful 
changes  which  had  occurred  to  hira,  and  to 
those  whom  he  loved,  since  the  last  occurrence 
of  New  Year's,  which  he  spent  most  pleasantly 
by  the  fireside  of  his  home,  with  a  kind  father 
and  mother  to  watch  over  him,  and  add  to  his 
enjoyment  by  every  means  in  their  power. 
Now  that  dear  mother's  form  had  found  a 
watery  grave,  and  the  bones  of  that  •  well- 
beloved  father  were  bleaching  on  the  rocks  of 
Terra  del  Fuego,  while  the  son  was  a  w\anderer, 
sad  and  suffering,  in  a  far-off  inhospitable 
region. 

Thus  were  exemplified  in  the  career  of  this 
young  man  some  of  the  changes  and  uncertain- 
ties of  life.  Happy  will  it  be  for  him  if  all 
these  vicissitudes,  and  the  sorrows  they  brought 
to  him,  prove  a  salutary  discipline  to  his  young 
heart,  and  teach  him,  as  such  experiences  are 
designed  to  teach,  the  folly  of  clinging  to  the 
transitory  joys  of  this  life,  and  the  wisdoni.of 
seeking  that  which  is  heavenly  and  eternal. 


134:      CAPTIVE   BOY  IN  TERKA  DEL  FUEGO. 


CHAPTER  VII. 

ADVENTURES. 

0  mortals,  short  of  sight,  who  think  the  past 
O'crblown  misfortune  still  shall  prove  the  Vast : 

t)  Alas!  misfortunes  travel  in  a  train, 
And  oft  in  life  form  one  perpetual  chain  ; 
Fear  buries  fear,  and  ills  on  ills  attend, 
Till  life  and  sorrow  meet  one  common  end. — YouNQ. 

1  travel  all  the  irksome  night 

I3y  ways  to  me  unknown. — Moktoomkry. 

On  the  2d  of  January,  1855,  before  the  day  had 
iairly  dawned,  Thomas  and  his  comrade  started 
in  their  little  boat  for  the  large  island  they  had 
seen  in  the  distance,  A  line,  fair  breeze  filled 
their  sail,  and  they  moved  rapidly  on,  sailing 
most  of  the  day,  and  filially  anchoring  at  an 
other  island  between  them  and  the  larger  one. 
The  next  morning  the  sun  arose  in  brightness,- 
and  the  weather  was  cleajj*  and  pleasant.  They 
•  again  set  sail.  They  had  two  sails  on  their 
boat,  a  foresail  and  mainsail,  and  these  they  set 
"  wing  and  wing,"  to  take  the  utmost  advantage 


/ 


CAPTIVE  BOY  IX  TERRA  DEL  FUEGO.   135 

of  the  favoring  breeze.  Through  the  day,  as 
nothing  was  to  be  clone  by  him  who  was  not 
steering,  Thomas  made  an  oilcloth  cap  out  of 
the  remnant  of  some  overalls  which  they  pos- 
sessed. His  implements  were  a  knife  and  some 
ropey  am.  They  at  last  reached  the  large 
island,  but  deeming  it  best  to  improve  the 
favorable  weather  they  did  not  stop.  It  became 
calm  after  passing  that  island,  but  still  they 
rowed  on.  During  the  night,  as  it  was  so  calm, 
they  allowed  the  boat  to  drift  slowly  on  with 
the  current,  and  so  took  by  turns  their  needed 
repose.  Once,  while  looking  out  over  the 
waters,  as  the  stars  were  shining  above  them, 
Thomas  caught  sight  of  a  different  light,  appar- 
ently on  some  shore,  and,  he  conjectured,  carried 
by  natives.  Ills  mind  immediately  reverted  to 
the  liglrt  mentioned  as  seen  by  Columbus ;  but 
it  was  with  no  similar  feelings  of  joy  that  he 
descried  it,  lor  he  had  seen  good  cause  to  distrust 
and  fear  tlie  natives  who  might  be  the  bearers 
of  the  light,  and  he  possessed  very  little  with 
which  to  defend  himself  from  their  violence. 
After  passing  this  light  nothing   particular 

occurred  to  increase  their  fears  of  meeting  the 
9 


13G       CAPTIVE   BOY  IX  TEURA  DEL  FUEGO. 

natives  again,  till  all  at  once,  as  tlie  colored 
man  was  sleeping,  lie  was  suddenly  aroused  by 
Thomas,  wlio  was  watching,  and  exclaimed, 
"  Here's  an  Indian  moccasin  !  "  Any  token  of 
the  proximity  of  natives  was  very  unpleasant, 
and  both  looked  anxiously  to  see  if  it  really  was 
a  moccasin.  Just  then  Thomas  lifted  his  hand 
to  his  liead,  and  lo  !  the  oilcloth  cap  was  gone. 
This  explained  the  mystery,  and  all  was  quiet 
again.  It  was  quite  a  relief  to  their  excited 
fears  to  know  that  the  startling  incident  had  an 
origin  so  harmless. 

During  the  most  of  that  night  Thomas  was 
awake.  It  was  scarcely  dark  at  all,  for  they 
were  so  far  south  that  at  this  season  of  the 
year  the  sun  just  stepped  below  the  horizon  as 
it  wci-e  and  then  rose  again.  Toward  morning 
they  perceived  that  their  boat  was  drifting  to- 
ward the  island  where  they  had  discovered  the 
light ;  and  as  they  did  not  desire  to  rush  know- 
ingly into  the  hands  of  the  natives,  they  set 
their  sails  and  ran  rapidly  by  the  island.  .  But 
very  soon  a  thick  sea  fog  gathered  close  about 
them,  and  they  felt  obliged  to  anchor  near  one 
of  the  islands  which  were  all  around  them,  for 


/ 


CAPTIVE  BOY  IN  TERRA  DEL  FUEGO.   137 

they  were  still  in  the  archipelago  of  Terra  del 
Fuego. 

Here  thej  remained  two  days,  and  on  the 
last  day  of  their  sojourn  here  they  ate  the  last 
morsel  of  shipbread  which  they  possessed.  With 
a  knife  they  even  scraped  out  the  crumbs  of 
biscuit  which  remained  in  the  crevices  of  the 
cask ;  and  though  some  of  those  crumbs  were 
mouldy,  they  were  all  eaten  with  a  wish  that 
yet  more,  even  though  no  better  than  these, 
were  left  to  them. 

The  next  day  the  waves  rolled  in  heavily  upon 
the  shore  of  the  little  island  Avhere  they  were 
anchored,  and  as  this  was  a  sign  of  a  storm  they 
decided  not  to  go  on  at  present.  So  they  sought 
for  a  bay  in  which  their  invaluable  boat  might 
be  secui'e.  In  a  little  cove  they  found  some 
shellfish,  \vhich,  however,  though  gladly  wel- 
comed by  them  as  something  to  sustain  life, 
seemed  to  produce  an  unhappy  effect  on 
Thomas,  who  was  rendered  quite  ill  from  eat- 
ing them.  The  colored  man  found  a  quantity 
of  small  edible  roots,  and  upon  the  armful 
which  he  secured  they  lived  for  a  time.  The 
next    day    they   went   round  toi  another  bay, 


138     CAPTIVE   BOY   IN  TEPJIA  DEL   FUEGO. 

Loping  to  find  something  there  which  -woukl  be 
fit  to  eat.  But  the  storm  came  in  all  its  fury, 
and  they  had  for  their  sustenance  only  these 
unpalatable  roots,  some  of  which  were  very 
bitter. 

At  the  entrance  of  the  bay  was  a  small 
island.  They  went  thither  and  landed,  think- 
ing they  might  from  thence  more  easily  per- 
ceive the  approach  of  the  natives  should  they 
appear,  and  so  make  their  escape.  This  island 
they  searched  "  from  center  to  circumference," 
and  ate  every  shellfish  which  could  be  found 
there,  muscles,  limpets,  periwinkles ;  then  went 
in  among  the  bushes  and  gathered  some  red 
berries  which  grew  there,  and  ate  them  also. 

Having  laid  this  island  under  tribute,  they 
went  to  the  main  island,  in  whose  bay  the 
small  island  was  nestled,  and  there  found  a 
quantity  of  the  same  red  berries.  Trees  from 
twelve  to  fourteen  feet  high  were  there  seen 
loaded  with  them ;  they  obtained  a  large  tub 
full  and  took  it  to  their  boat.  They  hesitated 
at  first  about  eating  these  berries,  not  knowing 
whether  they  were  of  a  j)oisonous  nature  or  not ; 
but  as  they  could  find  nothing  else,  and  nature 


y 


CAPTIVE  BOY  IN  TERRA  PEL  FUEGO.  139 

demanded  food,  tliey  were  compelled  to  cat 
them.  But  ere  long  they  had  ample  evidence 
that  such  food  was  not  adapted  to  them  ;  at 
least  that  it  would  not  agree  with  them  till  their 
stomaclis  had  become  accustomed  to  receive  it. 
Thomas  was  seized  with  violent  pain  and  cramps 
in  the  gastric  region,  which  he  believed  to  have 
been  occasioned  by  eating  a  hearty  meal  of 
tliose  berries.  Yet  they  were  to  them  a  "  god- 
send," and  this  welcome  provision  of  Divine 
Providence  for  their  wants  was  the  principal 
article  of  their  sustenance  for  the  six  weeks  suc- 
ceeding. They  anchored  their  boat  near  the 
shore,  and  waited  tliose  many  weeks  for  a  favor- 
able breeze.  The  anchors  of  their  boat  con- 
sisted of  a  beak-iron,  some  shackles,  and  iron 
blocks.  There  was  very  little  high  land  on  the 
island,  and  they  could  therefore  see  but  a  short 
distance  around  them. 

One  day,  during  those  six  weeks  that  Tliomas 
and  his  companion  were  on  this  desolate  island, 
they  went  over  to  the  other  side  in  search  of 
shellfish,  and  while  clambering  about  among  the 
rocks  he  fell  prostrate  among  the  smaller  rocks 
in  the  water.    There  was  some  danc:er  of  drown- 


140     CArTIVE   BOY   IX  TERRA   DEL   FUEGO. 

ing,  but  as  there  were  large  quantities  of  tliat 
kind  of  sea-weed  generally  known  as  "  kelp,"  a 
species  of  alg8e,of  the  genus  salicornia,  he  clung 
to  its  strong  leathery  leaves,  (so  strong  that 
they  were  accustomed  to  tie  their  boat  to  it,) 
until,  by  the  aid  of  his  companion,  he  again 
escaped  a  watery  grave.  Truly  Thomas  could 
say  with  the  Apostle  Paul,  that  he  was  "  in 
journeyings  often,  in  perils  of  waters,  in  perils 
of  robbers,  in  perils  by  the  heathen,  in  perils  in 
the  wilderness,  in  perils  in  the  sea;  in  weari- 
ness, in  painfulness,  in  watehings  often,  in  hun- 
ger and  thirst,  in  fastings  often,  in  cold  and' 
nakedness." 

And  though  all  this  was  not  endured  by  him, 
as  by  the  Apostle,  for  Christ's  sake,  yet  it  is 
hoped  that  these  sufferings  will  be  found  to 
have  formed  a  part  of  that  "  sleepless  discipline 
of  our  heavenly  Father"  which  prepares  the 
sorrowing  for  the  world  of  joy,  the  toil-worn  for 
the  land  of  rest. 

There  was  little  of  variety  during  their  so- 

,-journ  upon  this  island  to  attract  their  minds 

from  dwelling  with  sad  forebodings  upon  tlie 

future.     Often  and  often  did  they  gaze  with 


CArTIVE   BOY  IN  TERRA  DEL  FUEGO.       Ill 

longing  eyes  far  off  over  the  blue  waters,  with 
tlie  hope  of  descrying  a  distant  sail,  whose  pres- 
ence in  those  regions  might  hold  out  a  faint 
prospect  of  relief  to  them,  but  all  in  vain.  A 
few  seals  only  were  seen  in  the  water,  and  one 
whale  of  the  kind  commonly  called  grampus. 

A  singular  circumstance  occurred  in  relation 
to  the  tides.  They  perceived  the  ebb  and  flow 
of  old  ocean  there  as  usual ;  but  while  they  were 
on  this  desolate  island  one  day,  about  the  time 
of  the  new  moon,  the  tide  suddenly  receded  to 
a  very  great  distance,  and  then  came  in  with 
great  velocity,  as  if  some  earthquake  or  similar 
convulsion  of  nature  had  caused  it.  There  was 
scarcely  a  breath  of  air  at  the  time,  and  this, 
with  the  unwonted  agitation  of  the  waters, 
seemed  to  denote  some  change  in  the  usual 
laws  of  tidal  motion. 

One  night,  while  here,  a  violent  storm  arose. 
They  were  sleeping,  as  they  were  accustomed 
to  do,  in  their  boat,  and  were  awakened  by  the 
excessive  motion  produced  by  its  swinging  from 
side  to  side  upon  the  storm-tossed  waves.  They 
arose,  and  having  hauled  their  tiny  bark  high  . 
upon  the  beach  for  its  safety,  they  attempted  to 


14:2    cai'tivp:  eoy  m  terra  del  fltego. 

raise  tlicir  little  hut  for  their  own  coml'ort ;  but 
almost  as  fast  as  they  reared  it  the  violent  wind 
prostrated  it,  till  at  last  they  so  secured  it  th:it 
they  were  sheltered  in  a  measure  from  the  piti- 
less fury  of  the  raging  elements.  During  the 
night,  as  he  was  lying  awake  thinking  upon 
their  dismal  condition,  Thomas  heard  what  he 
supposed  must  be  the  boat  banging,  as  he  ex- 
pressed it,  upon  the  rocks.  Hope  sank  away 
in  his  bosom,  for  if  their  boat  should  be  lost, 
with  it  would  depart  all  their  hope  of  escape. 
They  arose  to  secure  it,  if  possible,  yet  with 
fainting  hearts,  and  found  that  it  had  been 
driven  by  the  rising  waves  upon  a  rock,  where 
she  remained,  happily  without  much  damage 
having  accrued  to  her. 

The  next  day,  as  the  wind  had  lessened,  and 
the  waves  were  calmer,  tliey  prepared  to  leave 
this  island  and  travel  northward  again.  The 
tide  rose  but  little,  and  there  was  some  moon- 
light to  cheer  them  on  their  way  ;  but  although 
Thomas  urged  instant  departure  the  colored 
man  was  obstinate  and  would  not  go.  So  they 
remained  there  some  days  longer.  One  morn- 
ing both  were  lying  down  in  their  rude  hut. 


CAPTIVE    BOY   IN  TERRA  DEL  FITEGO.      1-43 

and  suddenly  tlionglit  tliey  lieard  the  sound  of 
bells.  The  thought  that  it  might  prove  to  be  a 
ship  near  them,  shot  rapturously  through  their 
minds;  but  on  looking  out  through  the  thick, 
hazy  atmosphere  they  could  discover  nothing, 
nor  was  any  other  sound  borne  on  the  morning 
air  to  their  listening  ears,  and  so  they  returned 
to  their  rough  couches.  In  a  few  momeuts  the 
well-known  sound  of  dogs  barking  was  heard 
by  them,  and  with  emotions  that  can  better  be 
felt  than  described;  both  crawled  out  of  their 
little  low  hut  into  the  open  air. 

"  The  Indians  !  the  Indians  ! "  exclaimed 
Thomas,  as  he  caught  a  glimpse  of  some  natives 
in  the  distance,  and  with  almost  mortal  fear  of  the 
new-comers  they  went  back  into  their  hut,  and 
there  Thomas  prayed  aloud  for  their  mutual  pro- 
tection. Arms  they  had  none,  and  unless  kind 
Providence  should  soften  their  hard  and  cruel 
hearts,  these  natives,  if  the  same  who  had  caused 
the  death  of  Captain  Coffin,  would  probably 
soon  proceed  to  take  the  lives  of  his  companions. 
That  prayer  nmst  have  come  from  the  deepest 
recesses  of  a  soul  earnestly  desirous  of  protection  ; 
and  thoua'h  uttered  in  tremulous  tones  and  feeble 


14:4      CAPTIVE   BOY  IN  TEKRA  DEL  FUEGO, 

words,  the  eloquence  of  its  earnestness  and  sin- 
cerity must  have  found  for  it  a  speedy  admit- 
tance in  the  ears  of  the  Eternal. 

"They  left  the  little  hut  again,  choosing  to 
meet  the  natives  as  friends  or  foes  beneath  tlie 
l)road  canopy  of  the  overarching  heavens.  Soon 
the  natives  saw  them,  and  hastened  toward 
them.  Both  sexes  were  there,  and  as  they  ad- 
vanced a  native  girl  held  up  two  fowls.  To 
those  who  had  been  almost  starved  for  several 
weeks  the  offer  of  food  was  too  welcome  to  be 
neglected,  and  the  poor  shipwrecked  sufferers 
rapidly  advanced  to  receive  the  boon  which 
Providence  through  these  more  friendly  natives 
had  so  kindly  granted  them.  The  fowls  resem- 
bled shags,  and  were  somewhat  fishy,  but  were 
gladly  received ;  and  so  much  were  Thomas 
and  his  companion  in  need  of  food,  that  they 
were  about  to  tear  tlie  raw  fowl  asunder  and 
eat  it  thus.  But  the  young  girl  pointed  toward 
a  spot  not  far  distant  and  said  "  fire."  Hastily 
broiling  it  on  some  coals  which  the  natives  had 
obtained,  Thomas  proceeded  to  partake  of  his 
fowl,  and  declares  it  to  be  the  sweetest  morsel  he 
ever  tasted.     After  having  lived  for  weeks  on 


CAPTIVE   BOY   IN   TERRA   DEL   FUEGO.    145 

tliose  unpalatable  berries,  with  an  occasional 
change  to  raw  shellfish,  it  was  not  strange  that 
a  return  to  something  like  the  diet  to  which  they 
had  previously  been  accustomed  was  welcome. 
Meanwhile  the  natives  were  examining  every- 
thing belonging  to  George  and  Thomas ;  chop- 
ping on  things  occasionally  with  their  rude 
axes,  formed  from  a  rongh  piece  of  iron  rudely 
fastened  to  a  piece  of  wood. 

Hoping,  as  the  natives  seemed  friendly,  that 
they  would  after  a  while  leave  them  alone  again, 
Thomas  purchased  two  pieces  of  stick  which 
were  on  fire,  giving  some  nails  and  an  old  knife- 
handle  in  exchange.  The  natives  seemed  to 
understand  bartering,  and  from  their  use  of  the 
English  word  "  fire,"  Thomas  was  led  to  hope 
that  they  were  not  far  distant  from  the  northern 
shores  of  Terra  del  Fuego,  which,  being  washed 
by  the  waters  of  the  Straits  of  Magellan,  through 
which  vessels  occasionally  pass,  was  sometimes 
visited  by  English  vessels. 

It  was  soon  perceptible  that  these  natives 
were  not  free  from  theii*  national  covetousness. 
The  blanket  which  they  found  on  board  the 
wreck  had  been  divided  by  George  and  Thomas 


14G   CAPTIVE  BOY  IX  TERKA  DEL  FUEGO. 

between  themselves,  but  tlie  natives  were  now 
desirous  of  appropriating  botli  pieces  to  tlieir 
o^ni  use.  Thomas  endeavored  to  divert  their  at- 
tention from  wdiatwas  so  much  needed  by  them- 
selves in  that  wuntrj^  region  by  giving  tlicm  the 
rude  fish-line  wdiieh  his  fatlier  made,  and  which 
lie  had  preserved  for  that  father's  sake,  hoping 
to  be  able  to  take  it  home  as  a  memento  of  one 
wliose  kindness  in  life  and  whose  tragic  death 
lie  could  never  forget. 

Thomas  was  himself  a  source  of  great  curios- 
ity to  many  of  the  natives.  If  they  had  ever 
seen  white  people  before,  they  had  not  evident- 
ly seen  enough  to  become  entirely  familiar  with 
their  color,  so  that  tliey  thronged  around  him, 
and  touched  his  wliite  skin  with  their  dark, 
dirty  fingers,  apparently  enjoying  the  novel 
Bifht.  So  "reduced  had  Thomas  become  from 
such  long  famine,  so  to  sjicak,  that  his  bones 
were  very  prominent,  especially  the  sternum  or 
breastbone,  and  that  seemed  to  interest  the 
natives  particularly.  They  continnally  re- 
peated the  exclamation  "  O ! "  in  a  tone  be- 
tween astonishment  and  pity. 

In  their  rough  handling  of  the  curious  object 


CAI'TIVE  BOY  IX  TERRA  DEL  FL'EGO.  147 

as  Thomas  ajipeared  to  tliein,  one  of  tliciu 
touched  liis  cheek  so  harshly  us  to  produce  pain 
ihnn  a  hxrf^e  gum-boil,  which  had  caused  him 
much  suffering  previously.  He  very  naturally 
exhibited  symptoms  of  pain,  and  one  of  them 
besran  to  make  motions  over  his  cheek  simihar 
to  the  magnetic  passes  of  a  mesmerizer,  and 
then  made  a  feint  of  blowing  away  the  pain. 
"  This,"  says  Thomas,  "  is  what  they  call 
withcraft." 

So  troublesome  did  the  natives  become  at 
last  in  their  inquisitiveness,  that  Thomas  was 
glad  when  they  went  away ;  but  on  conversing 
with  the  colored  man,  Thomas  found  that  he  was 
of  the  opinion  that  they  had  better  stay  with 
the  natives  than  to  proceed  any  farther.  Prob- 
ably the  good  fare  of  which  he  had  partaken 
through  their  instrumentality  had  much  to  do 
in  influencing  his  judgment  in  favor  of  remain- 
ing with  those  who  might  provide  him  with 
similar  food  in  the  future.  So  Thomas  went 
with  George  to  the  place  where  the  natives 
were.  lie  thought,  himself,  that  they  were 
really  friendly  to  them,  and  while  he  could  not 
have  looked  upon  the  murderers  of  his  father 


1-18    CArXIVE   BOY   IN   TElUlA  DEL   FUEGO. 

witli  any  degree  of  confidence,  and  certainly 
would  not  wish  to  fraternize  with  tliein,  lie 
thought  that  to  join  these  was  perhaps  the 
best  that  could  be  done  at  present,  and  so 
yielded  to  the  wish  of  the  colored  man  and 
went  to  them. 

But  it  was  like  voluntarily  going  into  cap- 
tivity. When  they  reached  the  spot  where  the 
natives  were,  they  found  the  women  building 
a  house  from  the  green  branches  which  the 
men  had  cut.  The  turf  there  is  not  thick  and 
tough  as  is  ours,  but  soft;  and  beneath  it 
was  a  bed  of  something  which  resembled  peat. 
So  the  women  pLaced  the  branches  in  the 
ground,  and  spread  seal-skins  over  them  for  a 
roof.  At  the  backside  the  men  made  a  green 
seat  of  earth  and  turf,  having  first  dried  the 
turf:' 

The  natives  treated  George  and  Thomas  as 
kindly  as  could  be  expected  from  those  whose 
manners  were  so  rude  as  to  lead  to  a  reasonable 
doubt  of  their  having  studied  Chesterfield,  But 
it  was  soon  evident  that  they  had  entered  into 
captivity,  for  Thomas  was  sent  by  them,  with  a 
ludi(;rou3   air  of  superiority,  after    water,  and 


CAPTIVE  BOY  IX  TERRA  DEL  FUEGO.       1-iO 

the  colored  man  after  slicllfisli,  Thomas  was 
soon  permitted  to  join  him  in  the  seaich,  and 
as  Nature  again  began  to  assert  her  claim  to 
food,  and  they  feared  the  natives  might  not 
share  liberally  with  them,  they  ate  some  of  the 
raw  shellfish,  and  pocketed  some  also,  which 
they  afterward  roasted,  and  found  much  more 
palatable  in  that  fonn.  The  natives  produced 
more  of  the  fowls,  and  they  had  the  satisfac- 
tion of  again  partaking  of  more  palatable 
food  than  that  to  which  they  had  been  so 
long  confined. 

Toward  night  one  of  the  natives  bade  Thomas 
accompany  him.  So  he  obediently  followed  the 
dark-browed  savage,  hoping  that  his  soul  was 
winter  than  his  skin,  and  that  he  would  do  him 
no  injury,  "With  a  heavy  club  the  native  broke 
down  the  bushes  that  obstructed  their  pathway, 
and  on  they  went,  crossing  several  small  streams 
where  Thomas  had  the  misfortune  to  fiill  from 
excessive  weariness,  though  without  receiving 
much  injury.  As  near  as  Thomas  could  dis- 
cover, the  object  of  this  excursion  was  to  "  beat 
the  bush  for  game,"  or,  in  other  words,  to  hunt 
for  fJl^d.     At  last,   after   the   long  and  weary 


150  CAPTIVE  BOY  IX  TERRA  DEL  FUEGO. 

walk,  for  wliicli  Tliomas  liad  hardly  sufficient 
strength,  they  returned,  and  he  gladly  sunk 
down  on  the  ground  to  rest,  and  watched  the 
operations  of  those  who  were  preparing  the 
evening  repast,  which  was  served  in  the  most 
primitive  style.  Their  manner  of  cooking  fowls 
is  to  cut  them  open,  taking  out  the  intestines, 
a  portion  of  which  they  eat,  throwing  away 
that  which  we  throw  away,  and  then  roast  them 
on  the  coals.  In  cooking  penguin,  as  Thomas 
afterward  discovered,  they  first  burn  off  the 
feathers,  open  the  bird,  and  then  roast  it. 

Thomas  slept  that  night  by  the  side  of  one 
of  the  natives  on  a  bed  composed  of  green 
bushes.  The  colored  man  slept  on  a  piece  of 
canvas.  During  the  night  Thomas  often  rose 
in  order  to  attend  to  the  fire,  which  a]ipeared 
to  him  a  possession  so  desirable  that  he  was 
willing  to  take  all  possible  care  to  prevent 
losing  it.  But  the  native  by  whose  side  he 
was  lying  remonstrated  so  often  that  he  finally 
desisted,  and  toward  morning  the  pieces  of 
wood  burned  to  cinders  that  glowed  a  while 
amid  the  darkness  of  the  night,  then  buriied  to 
ashes,  and  the  fire  went  out.     J^ut  the  native^ 


CAPTIVE   BOY  IX   TERRA  DEL   FUEGO.     151 

did  not  care.  They  knew  very  well  how  to 
obtain  it  with  ease,  and  did  not  mean  to  have 
their  night's  rest  disturbed  by  care  for  its  pres- 
ervation. The  wonder  is  that  they  ever  learned 
how  to  procure  it  in  that  far-off  region  of  ice 
and  snow. 

In  the  morning  one  of  the  natives  took  some 
feathers  or  down  and  used  it  for  tinder,  striking 
fire  upon  it  with  two  stones.  The  sparks  ig- 
nited the  tinder,  and  a  fire  was  soon  obtained. 
They  would  sometimes  be  a  half  hour  obtaining 
it  in  this  way. 

The  party  remained  at  this  spot  about  a 
week.  The  natives  took  one  of  the  sails  of  the 
boat  and  cut  it  up  to  obtain  threads  to  use  for 
sewing  ;  the  other  they  made  into  a  square  sail, 
for  from  the  time  that  Thomas  and  George 
came  over  to  their  house  the  natives  took  pos- 
session of  them  and  theirs.  Thomas  cannot  be 
censm-ed  for  this,  since  he  could  not  go  on  alone ; 
and  to  the  colored  man  the  choice  seemed  to  lie 
between  captivity  and  starvation.  Henceforth 
their  hope  of  escape  was  based  upon  the  fact 
that  these  natives  being  friendly  would  protect 

them  from  others  who  might  wish  to  do  them 
10 


152     CAPTIVE   BOY   IX   TERRA   DEL   FU  EGO. 

harm,  and  would  also  aid  them  hi  obtaining 
food.  By  traveling  toward  the  Straits  of  Ma- 
gellan they  might  meet  a  ship  there,  and  be 
induced  to  receive  a  ransom  for  them,  and  allow 
them  peaceably  to  return  to  their  home  and 
surviving  friends. 


CAPTIVE   BOY    IX   TERRA   DEL    FUEGO.     153 


CHAPTER  VIII. 

CAPTIVITY. 

Poor  child  of  danger,  nursling  of  the  storm, 
Sad  are  the  woes  that  wreck  thy  manly  form: 
Rocks,  waves,  and  winds  the  shattered  bark  delay  ; 
Thy  heart  is  sad,  thy  home  is  far  away.  Campbell. 

The  ways  of  Heaven  are  dark  and  intricate, 
Puzzled  in  mazes,  and  perplexed  with  errors ; 
Our  understanding  traces  them  in  vain, 
Lost  and  bewildered  in  the  fruitless  search, 
Nor  sees  with  how  much  art  the  windings  run. 
Nor  where  the  regular  confusion  ends. 

Addison's  Cato. 

Thomas  and  his  companion  had  now  begun  a 
new  lite,  that  of  servants  to  the  natives,  who 
seemed  to  regard  them,  and  all  they  possessed, 
as  a  lawful  prize.  There  were  live  children  in 
the  party,  one  of  whom  was  an  infant.  They 
had  also  a  few  dogs  with  tliem,  whose  principal 
food  consists  of  the  mussels  which,  by  their  in- 
stinct in  searching  for  themselves,  they  aided 
their  masters  in  discovering  for  the  sustenance 
of  the  human  members  of  the  party.  Thomas 
was   often   sent  to   look   for  shellfish.     At  his 


15-J:    CAPTIVE   BOY   OP^   TERRA   DEL   FUEGO. 

early  home  lie  had  never  been  accustomed  to 
eat  mussels;  but  his  mother  had  a  fancy  for 
them,  and  he  had  often  sought  for  them  in  order 
to  gratify  her  penchant,  and  now,  as  he  sought 
for  them  day  after  day,  the  thought  of  that  de- 
parted mother  rushed  often  to  his  mind,  till  the 
tears  coursed  down  his  thin  cheeks,  and  drop- 
ping, as  he  leaned  over  the  wave-worn  rocks, 
mingled  with  the  briny  wave. 

It  was  soon  evident  to  Thomas  that  these 
natives  were  only  down  upon  this  island  in 
search  of  something  to  sustain  life.  Their 
whole  existence,  as  he  afterward  learned,  is  a 
struggle  to  obtain  sufficient  food.  They  seem 
to  have  no  idea  of  any  pleasures  beyond  sensual 
gratifications,  and  they  are  perfectly  satisfied  in 
their  dreary,  filthy  huts,  if  they  only  have 
enough  to  eat. 

The  week  passed  on  without  many  incidents, 
till  one  morning  Thomas  awoke,  and  to  his  as- 
tonishment found  himself  alone.  For  a  moment 
he  thought  he  was  bereft  of  every  comrade, 
even  of  his  colored  shipmate.  But  in  a  few 
moments  a  native  entered  with  a  little  boy  upon 
his  back,  and  bade  Thomas  follow  him.     They 


CAPTIVE   BOY    OF   TERRA    DEL    FUEGO.     155 

walked  some  distance  tbrongli  the  woods  till 
they  came  near  an  open  space,  and  there 
Thomas  sat  down,  feeling  unable  to  walk  fur- 
ther. He  was  very  weak,  and  worn  almost  to 
a  skeleton.  Before  him  were  five  little  children 
gathering  red  berries.  He  was  apparently  left 
with  the  care  of  them.  Some  of  the  children 
brought  him  some  berries,  which  he  ate,  and 
when  rested  he  felt  strong  enough  to  gather 
more,  and  hungry  enough  to  eat  them. 

Shortly  after  a  native  came  wearing  some- 
thing like  a  belt,  containing  about  four  or  five 
dozen  little  fat  birds  which  he  had  just  secured. 
These  were  immediately  cooked  by  the  women, 
who  had  a  fire  near,  in  the  same  manner  that 
the  larger  birds  were  cooked,  and  were  then 
eaten,  'Iheads  and  all." 

Thomas  afterward  learned  that  the  vouno- 
birds,  which  are  a  species  of  sea-bird,  occupy 
holes  in  the  ground  so  deep  that  a  native  would 
sometimes  be  obliged  to  thrust  his  arm  its  full 
length  into  the  cavity  ere  he  could  secure  them. 
Their  dogs  are  useful  in  scenting  out  the  abodes 
of  these  little  birds ;  the  natives  then  catch  them, 
xisually  two  or  three  in  the  same  cavitv,  break 


15G  CAPTIVE  HOY  IN  TERRA  DEL  FUEGO. 

tlieir  necks  with  the  teeth,  and  put  tliem  into 
the  belt  or  pouch  for  food  in  the  future.  Thej 
spent  most  of  the  day  hunting  for  these  little 
birds,  and  then  returned  to  their  rude  hut. 
Soon  after  tliey  spent  another  day  in  the  same 
place,  and  at  its  close  Thomas  and  the  colored 
man  were  forcibly  reminded  of  their  captive 
state  by  being  compelled  to  cany  home  a  quan- 
tity of  wood  for  fuel  upon  their  backs. 

The  natives  regarding  their  boat  as  much 
better  than  a  canoe,  hauled  the  latter  up  high 
and  dry,  and  took  possession  of  the  former. 
During  this  operation  the  notched  stick  was 
lost,  and  from  that  time  Thomas  did  not  keep 
any  "reckoning,"  In  order  still  further  to 
maintain  the  friendly  relation  existing  between 
the  natives  and  their  captives,  Thomas  gave 
them  the  fish-liooks  and  needles  which  he  had 
found  on  l)oard  the  wreck,  but  had  hitherto 
kept  in  his  pockets,  unsuspected  by  the  natives, 
who,  to  his  surprise,  had  not  seemed  thus  far  to  . 
think  of  searching  him. 

Having  apparently  obtained  all  the  food  pos- 
sible from  the  island  where  they  then  were,  the 
whole  party  proceeded  to  another  island  which 


CAPTIVE  BOY  IN  TERRA  DEL  FUEGO.  157 

Thomas  had  not  before  visited.  Plere  they 
sought  again  for  birds,  with  decoys,  which  they 
had  tamed  for  the  purpose  and  kept  in  rough 
willow  cages.  Thomas  did  not  understand  that 
they  were  thus  used,  at  first,  and  therefore, 
when  he  saw  one  of  them  out  on  one  occasion, 
he  imagined  it  had  escaped,  and  running  after 
it  for  a  long  distance,  succeeded  in  capturing  it, 
only  to  receive  censure  instead  of  praise. 
Thenceforth  he  used  none  of  his  little  stock  of 
strength  in  trying  to  catch  decoy  birds. 

One  day  the  women  went  to  a  little  cove  for 
the  purpose  of  fishing,  taking  Thomas  and  his 
companion  with  them  to  act  as  their  servants  in 
preparing  bait,  etc.  Their  fishing-rod  and  line 
consisted  of  a  long,  rough  pole,  with  some 
gtrong  twisted  grass  for  a  line,  and  mussels 
formed  the  principal  bait  used.  The  women 
jerked  the  fish  into  the  boat  with  greater  dex- 
terity than  grace.  Sometimes  they  cut  some  of 
the  fishes  in  small  pieces  to  use  for  bait  witli 
which  to  secure  others,  and  they  seemed  thus  to 
catch  them  more  rapidly.  Some  of  the  fish  were 
white,  and  glistening  like  silver ;  while  others 
■were  as  yellow  and  brilliant  as  our  gold-fishes. 


15S     CAPTIVE   BOY   IN   TEREA   DEL   FUEGO. 

They  pursued  this  occupation  for  several 
days,  and  on  one  of  those  days  did  not  seem 
disposed  to  give  Thomas  any  food.  He  bore 
liis  hunger  as  long  as  possible,  fearing  their 
displeasure  if  he  paused  to  eat  any  of  their  prizes ; 
but  at  last  hunger  was  fierce  enough  to  over- 
come all  considerations  of  prudence,  and  snatch- 
ing up  a  fish  he  actually  bit  off  the  head  and 
ate  it.  The  natives  did  not  seem  to  like  this 
very  well,  so  he  forbore  till  their  fishing  season 
was  over.  Meanwhile  the  colored  man  had 
enough  to  eat,  as  he  was  rather  more  a  favorite 
with  the  natives  ;  but  as  he  selfishly  refrained 
from  ottering  any  to  Thomas,  the  latter  had  too 
much  Yankee  pride  to  ask  for  any,  so  long  as 
his  hunger  could  be  borne. 

One  of  the  decoy  birds  having  flown  away, 
the  party  went  to  another  island  in  search  of 
it,  and  happily  succeeded  in  securing  it  again. 
The  natives  then  pursued  their  course  north- 
ward, as  Thomas  judged  from  the  position  of 
the  sun,  visiting  many  other  islands,  on  one  of 
which  they  saw  a  seal,  and  paddling  round  to 
the  other  side  of  the  island,  tliey  landed  cau- 
tiously,   and   one   native  "  stripped  liiniself  for 


CAniVE   BOY   IX   TERRA   DEL   FUEGO.     IGl 

the  battle,"  prepared  his  spear,  with  a  quantity 
of  kelp  attached  to  it,  then  drew  silently  near 
to  the  seal.  He  threw  his  spear,  but  the  rock 
alone  was  struck,  the  seal  had  escaped. 

One  day  the  natives  prepared  to  hunt  some 
Ijirds  similar  to  those  which  they  gave  Thomas 
at  their  first  meeting.  Having  blackened  their 
faces  with  charcoal,  they  took  a  long  pole  with 
whalebone  attached  to  it  in  the  form  of  a  slip- 
knot. With  this  apparatus  they  succeeded  in 
capturing  tliree  of  those  shags. 

Sometimes  they  would  go  in  search  of  shell- 
fish, and  on  one  occasion  they  secured  their 
boat  half  full  of  mussels.  Thomas  was  suffer- 
ing from  hunger  on  that  day,  yet  they  scarcely 
gave  him  any.  He  was  often  able  to  echo  tlie 
words  of  Captain  Bourne,  the  "  captive  in  Pat- 
agonia : "  "  Our  life  was  monotonous  enough. 
We  slept  a  good  share  of  the  time  when  we 
rested,  drank  pure  water  when  we  could  get  it, 
and  ate  what  fell  in  oui'  way  ;  though  the  reader 
may  be  assured  that  we  say  some  hungry  days." 
This  was  very  true  when  he  and  the  colored 
man  were  alone,  but  scarcely  less  so  when  they 
were  with  the  natives. 


162     CAPTIVE   BOY    IN   TERRA   DEL    FUEGO. 

Thus  far  they  had  met  with  no  other  natives, 
and  this  circumstance  was  a  pleasant  one  to 
Thomas,  for  he  could  not  help  fearing  that  they 
luislit  some  time  meet  with  the  hard-hearted 
and  cruel  natives  who  had  proved  themselves, 
to  his  deep  sorrow,  so  treacherous  and  blood- 
thirsty. 

At  last,  one  day  a  smoke  was  perceived  rising 
from  an  island  toward  which  they  were  going. 
The  natives  immediately  began  to  beautify  (?) 
themselves,  preparatory  to  a  landing.  "With 
some  kind  of  ochre  they  painted  themselves  red 
and  white  in  alternated  stripes  and  various 
figures,  till  they  presented  a  horrible  appear- 
ance. They  then  sharpened  their  knives,  till 
Thomas  began  to  fear  it  was  with  enemies  and 
not  friends  that  they  expected  to  meet.  This 
operation  over,  they  placed  their  hands  to  their 
mouths,  and  gave  loud  and  successive  whoops, 
reminding  Thomas  of  what  he  had  previously 
read  about  the  American  Indians.  They  soon 
drew  near  the  shore,  and  while  those  on  shore 
threw  rocks,  those  in  the  boat  threw  their 
spears.  Then  all  began  to  weep  aloud  with  a 
hideous  wailinor.     All  this  was  their  manner  of 


CAPTIVE    BOY   IN   TERRA   DEL    FUEGO.     163 

welcoming  each  other.  Two  natives  at  last 
went  ashore  on  this  island,  which  was  very  low, 
and  soon  came  back  with  a  portion  of  blubber, 
which  was  received  with  great  delight  by  all  the 
other  natives,  and  eaten  with  avidity. 

After  their  party  had  landed  on  the  island 
the  word  of  warning  was  given  that  a  canoe 
was  coming.  Thomas  was  placed  beliind  a 
stump  in  order  that  he  might  be  safer,  and  the 
welcoming  ceremonies  again  commenced.  After 
they  had  thrown  stones  enough,  and  both  par- 
ties had  ceased  wailing,  tliose  in  the  canoe  came 
on  shore,  and  it  was  discovered  that  they  had 
two  seals  in  the  boat,  and  several  penguins. 
Those  previously  on  shore  gave  the  new  comers 
some  whale's  flesh,  and  they  departed,  after 
asking  Thomas  to  go  with  them  ;  but  he  con- 
cluded that  he  had  better  stay  where  he  was, 
and  with  those  with  whom  he  was  most 
acquainted. 

When  they  had  rested  a  short  time  they  pro- 
ceeded to  another  island  with  many  currents 
around  it.  Here  Thomas  could  see  the  Straits 
of  Magellan  in  the  far  horizon,  but  at  the  time 
he   did   not   know  it.     They  remained  at  this 


1C,4:     CAPTIVE   BOY   IX   TERRA   DEL   FUE60. 

place  for  some  time,  and  were  joined  by  some 
of  those  they  had  just  left  at  the  other  island, 
and  some  whom  they  had  seen  in  the  canoe 
which  touched  there;  but  on  this  occasion  there 
were  no  welcoming  ceremonies.  At  this  island 
there  were  some  old  women  and  boys,  but  no 
old  men.  Their  party  remained  here  for  some 
time,  and  having  a  tolerable  supply  of  food, 
Thomas  was  feasted  by  them  on  food  which  he 
often  loathed,  though  hunger  compelled  him  to 
accept  it.  They  stayed  here  two  or  three 
weeks,  as  near  as  he  could  judge,  and  lived  on 
penguins  and  fish.  The  boys  would  sometimes 
try  to  make  Thomas  stand  and  let  them  throw 
food  into  his  mouth,  as  they  would  throw  it  to 
a  dog ;  but  his  own  natural  independence  of 
character  forbade  their  captive  to  allow  it. 
Captivity  could  not  subdue  his  indomitable  en- 
ergy, or  native  self-respect. 

By  and  by  more  natives  came  to  them  and 
brought  a  cpiantity  of  blubber.  In  the  course 
of  their  sojourn  together  the  natives  endeavored 
to  make  Thomas  conform  to  tlieir  style  of 
beauty  (?)  by  painting  him  as  they  painted 
themselves,  and  brushing  his  hair  in  their  own 


CArTIVE   BOY   IN   TERRA   DEL   FUEGO.     105 

peculiar  manner.  This  was  far  from  pleasing 
to  him,  but  he  dared  not  object,  and  thouglit 
compliance  better  than  quarreling. 

The  desire  to  obtain  more  of  the  blubber  in- 
duced the  natives  to  go  to  the  island  from 
wlience  it  had  been  brought  to  them.  Here 
they  met  a  new  party  of  natives,  and  welcomed 
each  other  in  the  usual  noisy  manner,  with  the 
addition  of  a  wrestling  match.  They  remained 
here  about  four  weeks,  in  which  time  Thomas 
liad  a  view  of  the  whale  from  which  a  part  of 
his  daily  supply  of  food  had  been  taken.  It 
w^as  already  green  with  putrefaction,  and  had 
apparently  died  at  sea,  and  been  thrown 
upon  the  shore,  where  it  was  discovered  by  the 
natives. 

Some  of  the  new  party  of  natives,  as  Thomas 
learned,  had  seen  a  ship  recently,  for  they  were 
nearly  all  dressed  in  sailor  clothing.  AVhen 
Thomas  first  saw  them  in  their  boat,  his  hc'art 
leaped  with  joy  and  hope,  for  he  tliought,  judg- 
ing fi'om  their  appearance,  that  they  were  a 
party  of  sailjjrs  in  a  jolly  boat.  They  had  sucli 
a  boat,  pnobably  bought  or  stolen  from  some 
ship.     We  can  imagine  the  disappointment  of 


166     CAPTIVE   BOY    IN   TERKA   DEL   FUEGO. 

the  youthful    captive   when  he  discovered  his 
mistake. 

The  natives  all  lived  together  while  here,  and 
subsisted  on  the  blubber  and  on  shell-fish. 
Thomas  had  been  in  the  habit  of  singing  a 
hymn,  which,  when  the  natives  heard,  they 
insisted  on  compelling  him  to  sing  more  and 
more.  At  last  he  grew  weary  of  singing,  and 
then  one  native,  who  had  hitherto  seemed  to 
regard  Thomas  as  his  servant  in  particular,  be- 
gan to  kick  him,  and  kicked  him  almost  into 
the  fire.  This  treatment  Yankee  independence 
could  not  endure,  and  Thomas  declared  he 
would  serve  him  no  more.  So  he  left  him,  and 
went  to  one  of  the  natives  named  "  John,"  and 
claimed  his  protection,  which  was  accorded. 
There  were  several  among  the  natives  who  had 
received  names,  the  very  sound  of  which  made 
Thomas  feel  more  hopeful,  for  he  rightly  judged 
if  these  natives  had  seen  enough  of  ships  to  se- 
cure these  names  it  was  very  probable  they 
would  see  more  of  them  in  future,  and  in  that 
way  he  might  escape  or  be  ransomed.  One  of 
these  natives  was  called  "  Chal-lie,'^  andWother 
"  Captain  ;"  and  one  of  the  women  was' •[lied 


CAPTIVE   BOY   IN   TERRA   DEL   FUEGO.     167 

"  Lydia,"  wliicli  frequently  called  to  mind  his 
mother's  only  sister,  far  away  on  his  island 
home.  O  how  he  longed  to  escape  when  he 
heard  that  familiar  name  ! 

The  natives  were  kind  to  Thomas  in  replen- 
ishing his  wardrobe,  till  he  became  the  possessor 
of  a  pair  of  shoes,  pantaloons,  a  -jacket,  shirt, 
cap,  and  suspenders.  In  short,  he  felt  himself 
to  be  clad  in  quite  a  civilized  manner  when  he 
donned  his  suit.  But  there  was  one  great 
drawback  to  his  happiness.  These  articles  had 
already  been  somewhat  worn  by  the  natives 
themselves,  and  had  become  well  filled  with 
vermin,  which,  from  his  close  contact  with  his 
uncleanly  masters,  Thomas  had  already  shai'cd 
with  them .  The  vermin  were  a  source  of  constant 
annoyance  to  him.  Apart  from  a  sense  of  un- 
cleanliness,  they  were  uncomfortable  compan- 
ions ;  and  he  was  glad  to  be  relieved  of  them, 
even  though  it  was  in  a  manner  which  excited 
extreme  loathing  and  disgust,  namely,  by  allow- 
ing himself,  his  head  especially,  to  be  a  hunting- 
ground  for  natives  in  search  of  food. 

One  of  the  natives,  who  wore  a  monkey-jack- 
et, could   say   several   English   words,   among 


luS     CAI'TIVE   I30Y   IN   TEllRA   DEL    FL'EGO. 

w'liicli  were  "  tabac "  for  tobacco,  "  ship," 
and  "  yes." 

One  day  Thomas  was  looking,  as  lie  was  wont 
to  do,  far  off  upon  the  Straits  of  Magellan, 
when  he  thought  he  espied  a  ship.  lie  watched 
for  its  approach,  but  in  vain,  and  he  was  com- 
pelled to  believe  that  the  object  was  but  a  rock. 
At  last,  one  day,  as  he  put  his  head  out  of  the 
door  of  their  hut,  he  caught  sight  of  a  fall- 
rigged  brig.  O  how  he  longed  for  some  way 
of  attracting  attention !  He  could  scarcely  be 
reconciled  to  the  fact  that  she  must  pass  with- 
out taking  him  on  board.  She  was  too  far  out 
in  the  straits  for  them  to  venture  to  reach  her. 
The  colored  man  advised  taking  their  boat,  and 
making  the  effort ;  but  Thomas  thought  it 
would  be  fruitless,  and  the  attempt  would  only 
rouse  the  anger  of  the  natives,  and  tend  to  their 
discomfort,  if  to  nothing  worse. 

One  day  in  April,  as  they  afterward  found  it 
must  have  been,  they  espied  a  steamship  passing 
through  the  Straits.  She  had  left  Valparaiso 
the  first  of  April,  as  they  learned,  but  they  dared 
not  try  to  reach  her  themselves,  though  they 
promised  the  natives  "  pipe "  and  "  tabac  "  if 


CAI'TIVE   BOY   IN   TERRA   DEL   FUEGO.     IGD 

tlicy  would  but  aid  them  to  get  on  board. 
Hope  was  still  strong  in  their  hearts,  however, 
though  the  natives  refused  ;  for  as  long  as  they 
were  within  sight  of  the  highway  for  vessels, 
there  was  a  prospect,  though  ftiint,  that  they 
might  be  rescued. 

But,  to  the  sorrow  of  the  captives,  the  natives 
required  them  to  go  with  their  masters  in  the 
old  boat,  a  long  day's  sail  back  to  the  same 
island  where  they  once  feasted,  and  there  they 
constructed  a  hut.  Fifteen  huts  were  reared 
there  by  the  natives,  and  the  party  subsisted 
again  on  penguins  and  fish. 

At  last,  one  day,  when  he  had  almost  given 
up  the  hope  of  reaching  the  Straits  during  that 
season,  the  natives  started  and  went  toward  the 
Whale  Island.  But  instead  of  stopping  there 
Thomas  was  delighted  to  ])erceive  that  they 
were  going  farther  on  toward  the  Straits.  The 
canoes  separated,  going  through  different  chan- 
nels ;  but  at  last  they  all  met,  and  kept  on  to- 
ward the  Straits.  Thomas  was  in  the  jolly- 
boat  and  assisted  in  rowiner. 

When  the   island   toward  which  they  were 

hastening  was  reached,  they  found  two  families 
11 


170      CArXIVE   BOY  IN  TEliRA  DEL  FUEGO. 

there  who  had  several  puppies,  whose  familiar 
appearance,  added  to  that  of  some  iron  pota 
which  they  possessed,  made  the  spot  seem  still 
more  homelike.  The  liaJDpiest  hours  which 
Thomas  passed  while  a  captive,  though  none  ot 
them  were  really  happy  or  even  pleasant,  were 
spent  here,  since  he  was  now  so  near  the  Straits 
that  hope  brightened  continually.  AVhen  they 
reached  an  island,  for  they  journeyed  on  a  little 
longer,  which  was  on  the  southern  side  of  the 
Straits,  and  realized  that  the  Magellan  waters 
washed  the  shores  of  that  island,  they  were  over- 
joyed. The  colored  man  shouted  again  and 
again,  "hurrah!  hurrah!" 

The  next  morning  their  party  went  over  to 
the  Patagonian  side,  where  they  remained  about 
a  week  and  a  half.  It  rained  violently  while  they 
were  there,  occasionally  snowed,  and  the  wind 
was  constantly  very  high.  After  the  storm  was 
over  they  went  along  shore  to  another  bay, 
where  they  stopped  one*  day  and  built  huts. 
All  at  once  Thomas  discovered  an  animal^gji*- 
scmbling  a  goat  in  the  water  at  the  side  of  the 
canoe  just  landed,  uttering  its  peculiar  "baa, 
baa."     It  was  of  a  gray  color,  with  short  horns. 


CAniVE   BOY  IN  TPZIUIA  DEL  FUEGO.      171 

Some  suppose  it  to  be  synonymous  with  the  guan- 
aco,  described  by  Captain  Bourne  in  bis  book  en- 
titled "  The  Captive  in  Patagonia,"  but  Thomas 
seems  to  think  it  a  different  animal.  The  natives 
had  caught  it,  and  were  now  towing  it  after 
their  canoe.  In  a  few  moments  a  loud  scream 
arose  from  the  natives ;  and,  turning,  Thomas 
saw  them  in  full  pursuit  of  another  of  these 
goats.  It  was  now  evident  to  him  that  the  ob- 
ject of  the  natives  in  coming  hither  was  to 
procure  these  animals  for  food.  To  Thomas  the 
change  of  diet  was  very  acceptable.  The  dogs 
were  sent  after  the  goat  just  discovered,  and  he 
was  finally  captured  by  the  women  in  the  canoe. 
Their  manner  of  cooking  the  animal  reminded 
Thomas  of  what  he  had  read  in  regard  to  the 
practices  of  Pacific  islanders.  Hot  stones  were 
placed  inside  of  the  opened  animal,  and  it  was 
then  roasted  on  the  embers.  The  natives  con- 
tinued their  search  after  more  of  these  animals, 
and  succeeded  in  surprising  another.  "VYhile 
aftei  the  third,  as  night  was  drawing  on,  sud- 
denly the  joyful  tidings  came  to  the  captives 
that  a  ship  was  in  sight  and  coming  toward 
them.     The  native  women  inquired  by  signs  of 


172  CAPTIVE  BOY  IX  TERRA  DEL  FUEGO. 

Tliomas  whether  he  wished  to  go  in  the  ship. 
Of  course  he  replied  in  the  amrmative.  The 
natives  gave  them  plenty  to  eat  on  this  night, 
partly  because  they  had  a  large  quantity  of 
provisions,  and  partly  because  they  were  pleased 
with  the  prospect  of  obtaining  through  them 
some  benefit  from  the  ship.  They  were  usually 
better  natured  when  they  had  a  quantity  of 
provisions  in  their  possession,  and  with  them 
feasting  and  fasting  alternated,  for  they  were, 
like  all  barbarous  nations,  very  improvident. 

During  the  evening  of  this  eventful  day  the 
natives  went  on  a  point  of  land  stretching  out 
toward  the  ship,  and  there  kindled  a  large  fire, 
hoping  by  that  means  to  entice  those  on  board 
the  sliip  to  anchor  near.  A  party  of  the  natives 
started  about  twilight  to  go  to  the  ship,  but  she 
w^as  so  far  off,  and  night  so  near,  that  they 
deemed  it  unsafe  to  continue  on  the  water,  and 
BO  returned.  Ere  the  shades  of  evening  had 
hidden  her  from  view  the  watchful  eyes  of  the 
captives  saw  the  crew  take  in  studdingsails, 
and  came  to  the  pleasing  conclusion  that  they 
were  designing  to  tarry  in  that  vicinity  for  a 
while. 


CAPTIVE   BOY  IN  TERRA  DEL  FUEGO.       173 

Some  of  the  natives  were  busied  during  the 
evening  in  slmming  the  goats  preparatory  to 
taking  them  on  board  the  ship  next  day  to  bar- 
ter. As  for  Thomas,  the  unwonted  supply  of 
food,  of  which  he  had  partaken  somewhat  too 
largely,  and,  above  all,  the  excitement  attendant 
on  the  ship's  arrival,  acted  unfavorably  on  his 
health,  and  he  was  ill  during  much  of  the  night. 


174       CAPTIVE   BOY  IN  TERIlA  DEL  FUEGO. 


CHAPTER  IX. 

LIBERTY. 

0 !  give  mo  liberty  I 
For  wore  e'en  paradise  my  prison, 
Still  I  should  long  to  leap  the  crystal  walls.— Dryden. 

Liberty,  like  day, 
Breaks  on  the  soul,  and  by  a  flash  from  heaven 
Fires  all  the  faeulties  with  glorious  joy. — Cowper. 

Scarcely  could  Thomas  sleep  througli  tbe  long 
night  which  followed  the  discovery  of  tlie  ship, 
and  when  he  did  fall  into  an  nnquict  doze,  it 
was  only  to  dream  of  that  ship,  of  liberty,  and 
home.  He  was,  as  we  may  readily  imagine, 
weary  of  his  exile,  and  weary  of  his  captivity. 
He  was  worn  and  ill  by  hunger  and  servitude, 
and  he  longed  to  lay  his  head  upon  a  quiet  pil- 
low in  his  native  isle,  and  receive  sympathy  in 
liis  bereavement  and  sorrow  from  those  who 
knew  and  valued  the  dear  ones  who  had  so  sud- 
denly and  sadly  left  him. 

Morning    at    length    came.       At    daylight 
Thomas    was    on    the    beach    to   observe    the 


CAPTIVE   i;OY  IN  TERRA  DEL  FUEGO.      1'75 

position  of  tlie  vessel,  wliich  he  lioped  was  to 
liim  the  herald  of  liberty  and  the  messenger 
of  joy.  She  was  quite  near  to  the  shore. 
Thomas  usually  went  in  "John's"  boat,  and 
the  colored  man  in  another.  But  it  was  evi- 
dently no  part  of  the  design  of  the  natives  to 
take  either  of  their  captives  to  the  ship.  In- 
stead of  that  they  were  botli  ordered  to  go  into 
a  boat  with  two  women  and  two  boys,  and  seek 
around  the  shores  in  a  different  direction  for 
Bhellfish.  This  was  far  from  being  pleasant  to 
those  who  were  longing  to  return  to  their 
native  country.  Yet  they  could  do  no  better  at 
that  time,  and  they  resolved  to  obey  quietly,  in 
order  to  allay  suspicion,  and  then  watch  for  an 
opportunity  to  escape.  While  the  captives  were 
reluctantly  looking  for  shellfish,  some  of  the 
natives  went  on  board  the  ship  and  traded  with 
the  crew. 

Toward  afternoon,  when  hope  deferred  had 
almost  made  the  hearts  of  the  captives  sick,  the 
vessel  came  toward  their  boat.  The  natives  in 
their  boats  were  not  near  enough  to  prevent 
Thomas  from  taking  off  his  old  neckcloth  and 
waving  it,  as  a  signal  to  those  on  board  the  ship 


3  76      CAPTIVE   BOY  IN  TERKA  DEL  FUEGO. 

that  some  one  wished  to  speak  with  them. 
With  all  sail  set,  the  vessel  bore  down  toward 
them.  Hope  revived !  Both  Thomas  and  the 
colored  man  now  threatened  the  women  and 
boys  with  instant  and  severe  punishment  if 
they  hindered  their  escape  in  the  least,  and 
they  therefore  stopped  paddling  away  from  the 
ship.  In  a  few  moments  the  maintopsail  of  the 
gallant  craft  was  backed,  and  she  lay  to,  as 
Tliomas  thought,  to  wait  for  their  approach. 
But  no !  in  a  few  seconds  she  was  on  her  way 
again,  steering  in  an  oi>posite  direction,  and  soon 
passing  round  a  bluff  near  them,  was  entirely 
out  of  sight.  Hope  died  in  the  liearts  of  the 
captives.  The  liorroi*s  of  exile  were  gathering 
in  thick  darkness  about  them  again.  The 
chains  of  their  slavery  were  again  clanking  in 
their  ears.  With  hopeless  agony  they  allowed 
the  women  and  boys  to  pursue  their  course 
back  toward  the  other  natives. 

In  a  few  moments,  however,  one  of  the 
women  exclaimed  "  ship !  shipj  "  and  looking 
joyfully  back  they  saw  her  flying-jib  just  in 
sight  as  she  came  back  round  the  point.  She 
had  only  been  tacking,  and  soon  came  nearer 


CAPTIVE  BOY  IN  TERRA  DEL  FUEGO.   177 

them  and  ancliored.  Meanwliile,  as  she  drew 
near  them,  Thomas  and  the  colored  man,  work- 
ing with  a  will,  and  overawing  the  others  in  the 
boat  with  terrific  threats,  which  in  their  dire 
extremity  they  considered  justifiable,  were  pull- 
ing their  canoe  toward  the  ship.  Just  as  she 
dropped  her  anchor  Thomas  sprang  into  the 
chains  ;  but  so  weak  was  he  through  suffering 
and  want  of  food,  that  those  on  board  were 
obliged  to  aid  him,  and  in  a  brief  period  he 
once  more  stood  upon  the  deck  of  a  ship.*  God 
be  praised!  was  the  one  thought  of  his  joyful 
.lieart. 

As  soon  as  he  found  strength  and  breath  to 
speak,  he  asked,  "Are  there  any  that  speak 
English  on  board  ? "  Some  one  with  a  Spanish 
accent  answered  in  the  affirmative.  Then  he 
asked,  "Where's  the  captain?" 

Thomas  and  his  shipmate  were  then  standing 
near  tlie  forecastle,  and  while  some  one  went  to 
inform  the  captain  that  the  rescued  ones  desired 
to  speak  with  him,  Thomas  and  George  step- 
ped aside,  and  held  a  brief  season  of  prayer 
and  thanksgiving  together.  They  had  made  a 
*  See  FrontLspiece. 


178       CAPTIVE   BOY  IN  TERRA  DEL  FUEvaO. 

practice  of  this  while  exiles  and  captives,  and  it 
seemed  natural  as  well  as  appropriate  for  them 
to  do  so  on  this  occasion,  while  by  the  devout, 
tliough  deluded,  Catholics  on  board,  it  was  sim- 
})ly  esteemed  a  common  act,  and  they  probably 
supposed  their  new  companions  to  be  offering  a 
vow  to  some  saint  on  account  of  their  recent 
deliverance. 

The  captain  of  the  ship  was  upon  the  upper 
deck,  and  readily  gave  permission  for  the  rescued 
captives  to  come  into  his  presence.  With  very 
natural  curiosity  all  on  board  flocked  round 
them  to  hear  the  narration  of  their  adventures, 
Thomas  told  his  story  briefly,  and  claimed  pro- 
tection for  himself  and  shipmate  in  the  name 
of  humanity  and  of  his  country.  The  captain 
assured  them  of  his  protection,  and  his  willing- 
ness to  convey  them  to  the  port  whither  himself 
was  bound,  giving  tliem  on  the  voyage  food  and 
raiment.  Meanwhile  the  natives  had  come  on 
board,  earnestly  soliciting  Thomas  and  George 
to  return.  But  in  vain  were  all  their  entreaties. 
Liberty  was  too  sweet,  and  home  too  dear  to 
be  thus  readily  relinquished. 

At  the  request  of  the  rescued  ones,  the  captain 


CAPTIVE  BOY  IN  TERRA  DEL  FUEGO.       170 

gave  them  some  tobacco  and  pipes,  which  they 
speedily  passed  over  to  tlie  natives,  not  feeling 
that  they  owed  them  anything,  but  hoping  that 
if  rewarded  now,  they  would  more  readily  per- 
mit the  escape  of  any  others  who  might  fall  into 
their  hands.  But  the  captain  did  not  furnish 
quite  as  much  ransom  as  Thomas  thought  desir- 
able, not  realizing,  as  the  rescued  boy  did,  how 
important  it  is  to  conciliate  such  a  barbarous 
people.  Thomas  gave  them  all  he  could,  in- 
cluding the  old  clothes  which  he  wore  when  he 
escaped,  and  which,  though  full  of  vermin,  were 
very  acceptable  to  them. 

The  captain  gave  to  Thomas  only  a  shirt,  a 
pair  of  trowsers,  and  a  Scotch  cap;  but  two 
Chinamen  and  an  English  carpenter  who  were 
on  board,  added  to  these  some  hose  and  shoes. 

The  vessel  in  which  they  left  the  inhospit- 
able shores  of  Ten-a  del  Fuego  was  a  Chilian 
man-of-war,  and  the  shirt  which  Thomas  wore 
was  decorated  with  a  star  as  a  part  of  the  Chilian 
uniform.  Almost  the  first  thing  which  the  cap- 
tain ordered  to  be  done  for  Thomas  ?wid  his 
shipmate  was  to  cut  off  their  matted  locks,  and 
cleanse  them,  by  bathing,  etc.,  from  the  vermin 


ISO       CAniVE  BOY  IX  TERRA  DEL  FUEGO. 

wliicli  infested  them.  Then,  as  Thomas  related 
to  the  physician  of  the  ship  his  sickness  of  the 
night  before,  and  gave  some  account  of  the 
detestable  food  he  had  sometimes  been  compelled 
to  eat,  he  ordered  an  immediate  emetic,  using 
warm  water  for  that  purpose  in  an  astonishing 
quantity,  and  giving  the  stomach  of  the  poor  lad 
the  relief  it  had  so  long  needed, 

O  how  delightful  seemed  the  change  of  fare 
on  board  the  ship !  Though  they  had  scarcely 
anything  but  rice  and  beans,  yet  these  were  ex- 
quisite after  so  much  detestable  food — putrid 
wliale,  raw  shellfish,  etc. 

The  ship  was  bound  to  Valparaiso,  at  which 
place  Thomas  expected  to  find  letters  from  his 
home,  and  whence  he  supposed  he  could  easily 
find  means  to  reach  his  native  shore.  Ere  they 
left  the  vicinity  of  Terra  del  Fuego  they  an- 
chored off  another  island,  a  little  one,  and 
Thomas  went  on  shore  with  a  boat's  crew. 
Here  he  saw  a  large  cross  with  the  letters  "  1. 
N.  R.  I.,"  probably  placed  there  by  some  Cath- 
olics, and  signifying  in  English,  "  Jesus  of  Naz- 
areth, the  King  of  the  Jews."  Thomas  carved 
liis  own  initials,  "  T.  E.  C,"  near  these  letters. 


CAPTIVE  BOY  IN  TERRA  DEL  FUEGO.       181 

Should  any  wlio  may  read  this  narrative  ever 
visit  this  lonely  island  and  mark  these  letters 
carved  on  the  cross  erected  there,  let  them 
remember  the  story  of  the  orphan  boy,  as  one 
of  those  tales  of  truth  which,  while  it  reveals  sad- 
ness and  sorrow,  tells  also  in  unmistakable  lan- 
guage of  the  goodness  of  that  God  who  so  won- 
derfully preserved  his  life  amid  so  many  dangers. 
The  hand  of  God  was  laid  heavily  upon  him  in 
his  bereavements,  evidently  in  kindness  and  not 
in  anger,  that  by  this  peculiar  discipline,  hard  as  it 
may  seem,  his  young  soul  might  be  strengthened, 
and  fitted  for  life's  duties  and  life's  responsi- 
bilities. Thus  shoidd  affliction  ever  prove  an 
angel  to  lead  us  on  toward  joy,  rather  than  a 
destroyer  with  uplifted  weapon  against  our 
purest  pleasures. 

It  was  on  the  24:th  of  May  that  Thomas  and 
George  went  on  board  the  "Meteoro,"  as  the 
Chilian  vessel  was  called,  and  on  the  25th  of 
June,  1855,  the  ship  arrived  at  Valparaiso.  It 
was  the  forenoon  of  the  Sabbath  when  they 
entered  the  harbor  of  that  city.  As  they  ap- 
proached they  saw  an  English  vessel  and  ex- 
changed colors.     When  anchored,  the  captaii^ 


182      CAPTIVE   I30Y  IN  TERRA  DEL  FUEGO. 

went  on  shore,  and  shortly  afterward  Thomas 
was  at  a  comfortable  boarding-house,  and  under 
the  protection  of  the  American  consul." 

His  story  found  many  sympathizing  listeners. 
A  young,  intelligent  lad,  only  sixteen  years  and 
two  months  old,  to  have  endured  such  suffer- 
ings, and  finally  to  have  escaped,  was  a  marvel  to 
them  ;  and  day  after  day  the  people  thronged 
around  him  wherever  he  went,  to  hear  the  story 
which  had  already  been  widely  circulated  from 
his  own  youthful  lips.  Born  on  the  16tli  of 
June,  1838,  Thomas  was,  as  before  stated,  only 
about  sixteen  years  old,  and  but  few  of  his  age 
have  passed  tlirough  such  varied  and  distressing 
scenes.  The  wonder  was  that  he  ever  lived  to 
tell  his  sad  story.  He  often  felt  while  bearing 
heavy  burdens,  and  toiling  hard  among  the 
natives,  that  he  would  rather  die  tlian  live ;  but 
whenever  he  expressed  such  a  feeling  to  the 
colored  man,  the  latter  would  beg  him  to  cheer 
up  and  live  for  his  sake.  And  yet  his  shipmate 
M-as  far  from  being  as  kind  to  him  as  he  ought 
to  have  been. 

On  first  going  ashore  in  Valparaiso,  Thomas 
was  taken   by  his  boarding-master  to  a  shop. 


CAPTIVE  BOY  IN  TEERA  DEL  FUEGO.   1S3 

where  lie  obtcained  needful  clotluDg.  The  next 
morning  he  received  through  the  consul  three 
letters  directed  to  his  father.  We  can  imagine  his 
emotions  as  he  opened  that  father's  letters,  know- 
ing that  the  eye  for  which  they  were  designed 
would  never  rest  upon  their  pages ;  but  words 
would  fail  us  in  the  attempt  to  describe  them. 

He  remained  about  three  weeks  and  a  half  at 
Valparaiso,  receiving  invitations  from  all  the 
English  and  American  residents,  whose  Idnd- 
ness  he  amply  repaid  by  narrating  in  their 
hearing  the  thrilling  story  of  his  shipwreck,  be- 
reavements, and  captivity. 

On  the  19th  of  July,  1855,  he  left  Valparaiso 
for  Baltimore,  reaching  that  port  in  the  latter 
part  of  October,  and  from  thence  he  went  to  his 
island  home,  the  sympathies  of  whose  inhabit- 
ants his  sad  story  fully  awakened.  As  he  passed 
around  Cape  Horn,  on  his  way  to  Baltimore,  his 
eye  rested  not  upon  that  "  dark  corner  of  the 
earth  "  which  he  had  seen  to  verify  the  Scrip- 
ture declaration,  that  it  was  "  full  of  the  habi- 
tations of  cruelty ;  "  for  the  captain  of  that  ship, 
warned  by  the  orphan's  story,  wisely  gave  the 
lands  in  the  vicinity  of  Cape  Horn  a  wide  berth. 


184   CAPTIVE  BOy  IN  TERRA  DEL  FUEGO. 

His  colored  shipmate  was  also  on  board  the 
same  ship  whicli  bore  Thomas  to  Baltimore, 
and  it  is  hoped  will  live  to  be  ashamed  of 
his  harsh  treatment  to  one  whose  own  mental 
and  bodily  snflerings  were  already  almost 
"  too  grievous  to  be  borne." 


% 


CAPTIVE   BOY  IN  TERRA  DEL  FUEGO.       185 


CHAPTER  X. 

THE   MISSING  VESSEL. 

Uncertainty  I 
Fell  demon  of  our  fears  I     Tlie  human  soul 
That  can  support  despair,  supports  not  thee 

Mallet's  Mustapha. 

As  may  well  be  supposed,  the  friends  and  relatives 
of  those  who  were  on  board  the  "  Manchester," 
and  also  her  owners,  and  those  interested  in  her 
cargo,  were  somewhat  anxious  for  the  safety  of 
the  ship,  her  cargo,  and  her  more  precious 
freight  of  human  lives.  Again  and  again,  as 
the  signal  on  the  flag-staff  in  Nantucket  denoted 
the  arrival  of  the  California  mail  in  that  port, 
those  anxious  ones  looked  earnestly  and  hope- 
fully for  tidings  from  the  missing  vessel.  But 
as  often  they  were  doomed  to  disappointment ; 
and  at  last  they,  sadly  and  reluctantly,  gave  up 
all  hope  of  hearing  anything  about  her,  and 
numbered  her  among  the  lost,  whose  fate,  hid 
in  mystery,  the  future  workl  alone  would  reveal. 

And  yet  the  spark  of  hope  would  glimmer  occa- 
12 


ISG  CAPTIVE  BOY  IN  TEUKA  DEL  FUEGO. 

sioually  in  some  hearts  as  tliey  tliouglit  some 
one,  at  least,  of  the  crew  might  be  saved,  like 
the  messenger  to  Job  of  yore,  to  tell  the  story 
of  their  shipwreck. 

There  was  one  painful  fact  connected  with 
the  longing  for  news  of  the  "  Manchester " 
which  every  sympathizing  heart  will  appre- 
ciate, though  to  it  the  parties  are  entirely  un- 
known. While  the  body  of  her  husband  had 
found  a  watery  grave  far  away  on  the  bleak 
coast  of  Cape  Horn,  the  patient  wife  of  the  first 
mate,  whose  parting  we  mentioned  in  the  first 
chapter,  was  lying  on  a  bed  of  sickness  from 
which  she  never  arose.  With  thoughtful  kind- 
ness the  friends  about  her  forebore  to  whisper  in 
her  presence  the  general  impression  in  the  com- 
munity that  the  ship  was  lost,  and  she  went 
calmly  and  submissively  to  her  grave;  wrap- 
ping the  mantle  of  her  youthful  faith  about  her, 
little  realizing  that  she  would  so  soon  learn  the 
fate  of  her  husband  by  meeting  him  upon  the 
immortal  shore. 

Who  shall  say  they  have  not  met  in  a  happier 
world  ?  And  who  shall  say  their  watching  spirits 
do  not  hover,  in  company  with  that  other  angel 


CArnVE  BOY  IN  TERRA  DEL  FUEGO.  1S7 

mother,  (the  mate's  first  wife,  they  were  sisters,) 
over  the  three  orphans  left  on  earth  !  May  the 
orphan  children  of  both  the  captain  and  the 
mate  of  the  ill-fated  "  Manchester,"  realize  the 
blessed  anticipation  of  another  afflicted  one, 
"  When  my  father  and  my  mother  forsake  rae, 
then  the  Lord  shall  take  rae  up." 

It  was  in  August,  1854,  that  the  "Manches- 
ter "  struck  on  the  rocks  near  Terra  del  Fueffo, 
and  it  was  in  August,  1855,  a  year  afterward, 
that  the  tidings  of  the  shipwreck  first  reached 
Nantucket.  An  extra  edition  of  the  Nantucket 
papers  was  immediately  printed,  containing  the 
letters  which  had  been  received ;  for  the  editors 
rightly  believed  that  the  entire  community 
would  eagerly  receive  all  the  news  from  a  vessel 
60  long  missing  ;  and  that  human  sympathy  for 
the  survivors,  always  evident  in  a  seafaring 
community,  where  all  are  liable  to  be  personally 
interested  in  similar  tidings,  would  lead  every 
family  to  desire  a  copy  of  the  letters.  They  are 
appended  here  as  they  were  then  published, 
showing  the  character  of  the  first  news,  which 
came  like  a  thunderbolt  into  the  intensely  in- 
terested   communitv,   bearinsc    the    tidinsrs   of 


188      CAPTIVE   BOY  IN  TERKA  DEL  FUEGO. 

bereavement  and  the  call  to  raourning  to  many 
true  and  loving  hearts  upon  the  island.  It 
should  be  understood  that  wherever  the  letters 
seem  to  conflict  with,  the  narrative  as  here  writ- 
ten, it  is  because  they  were  penned  in  haste, 
under  circumstances  of  great  excitement,  or  by 
those  who  were  only  partially  acquainted  with 
the  facts.  The  following  was  published  in  the 
"  Nantucket  Inquirer :  " 

"  The  ship  Manchester,  Captain  Alexander  H. 
Coffin,  of  Nantucket,  from  New  York,  April 
7th,  1854,  for  Valparaiso,  before  reported  as  a 
missing  vessel,  struck  a  sunken  rock  on  August 
28th,  in  about  latitude  55°  south,  to  the  west- 
ward of  Cape  Horn,  drifted  until  the  29th, 
when  she  grounded  at  five  A.  M.  on  a  small 
island,  and  opened  in  two  parts." 
c  The  following  particulars  of  the  disaster  are 
contained  in  a  letter  dated  on  board  the  Span- 
ish war  vessel  Meteoro,  Don  Bueneventura 
Martinez,  commander.  May  25,  1855.  It  is 
presumed  to  be  the  statement  of  the  captain's 
son,  one  of  the  survivors : 

"The  American   ship   Manchester,  of  Nan- 
tucket, left  New  York   for  Valparaiso  on  the 


CAPTIVE  BOY  IX  TERRA  DEL  FUEGO.   180 

Ttli  of  April,  1854,  the  complement  of  liands 
on  board  being  seventeen,  and  the  captain's 
wife.  One  man  died  at  sea  before  we  arrived 
at  Montevideo,  which  port  we  put  into  on  the 
24th  of  Jnly,  1854,  and  again  left  on  the  28th 
for  Valparaiso,  after  having  shipped  four  extra 
hands  at  Montevideo. 

"  On  the  28th  of  August,  after  passing  Cape 
Horn,  the  ship  struck  on  a  sunken  rock  in 
about  latitude  55°  south,  and  to  the  southward 
of  the  Cape,  land  distant  thirty  miles.  Not 
being  able  to  keep  her  free  with  pumps  got  the 
boats  out,  which  were  shortly  afterward  stove : 
had  afterward  the  mainmast  cut  away. 

"  At  twelve  the  same  night  she  was  full  of 
water,  but  continued  to  drift  until  five  A.  M. 
of  the  29th,  when,  after  passing  a  small  island, 
she  grounded,  and  in  twenty  minutes  opened  in 
two  parts,  and  all  on  board  were  immersed  in 
the  water.  The  captain  and  his  wife  clung  to- 
gether, but  by  some  chance  got  separated,  and 
the  captain  alone  rose  to  the  surface  ;  he  imme- 
diately seized  upon  a  plank,  and  succeeded  in 
rescuing  his  son,  on  which  plank  they  drifted 
to  the  stern  part  of  the  vessel,  where  they  ro- 


190   CAPTIVE  BOY  IN  TERRA  DEL  FUEGO. 

maliied  till  sunset,  having  concluded  they  were 
the  only  survivors  of  the  ill-fated  ship.  They 
then  managed  to  get  ashore  on  the  island, 
where  they  found  one  barrel  of  bread  and 
another  of  flour. 

"  Four  days  after  the  second  mate  and  one 
seaman  arrived  at  the  island  on  a  raft  they  had 
constructed  on  another  island  on  which  they  were 
cast,  distant  one  and  a  half  miles.  Here  they 
remained  while  the  captain  was  building  a  boat. 
Having  all  crossed  on  the  raft  to  the  island  on 
which  the  second  mate  first  landed,  (where  was 
much  of  the  wreck  of  the  ship  and  cargo  and 
provisions,)  on  the  3d  of  November  the  second 
mate  died,  being  completely  exhausted.  His 
name  was  David  Rees  Evans,  a  native  of  South 
Wales. 

"November  19th  we  first  saw  any  of  the 
natives,  some  men  and  women  having  landed 
from  a  canoe.  "We  had  just  finished  our  boat  and 
were  ready  for  starting.  The  Indians  having  at 
first  received  what  could  be  spared  to  them  of 
oijr  clothes,  etc.,  retired,  and  afterward  returned 
with  bludgeons,  and  insisted  on  stripping  us. 
Three  attacked  the  captain  and  three  the  sea- 


CAPTIVE  BOY  IN  TERRA  DEL  FUEGO.   191 

man,  who  having  disabled  two  of  them  fled  to 
the  boat  in  which  the  boy  already  was.  Unfor- 
tunately- the  captain  received  a  blow  which 
must  have  instantly  killed  him.  The  boy  re- 
ceived two  arrows  in  his  jacket,  but  escaped 
unhurt.  We  landed  on  the  island  where  part 
of  the  wreck  still  remained.  Returning  in  the 
evening  we  found  the  captain's  body  lying 
naked  on  the  rocks  and  dead.  ISTot  daring  to 
remain,  we  took  two  barrels  of  bread  and  re- 
turned to  the  wreck. 

"  After  remaining  several  days  we  ventured 
along  the  coast  in  our  boat.  At  the  end  of 
about  six  weeks  we  found  the  provisions  all 
expended,  and  subsisted  on  such  shellfish  as  we 
could  gather  among  the  rocks.  After  subsist- 
ing for  some  time  in  this  way  a  native  canoe 
hove  in  sight.  Being  destitute  of  food  for 
fk  month  at  least,  except  the  raw  shellfish,  we 
gave  oiirselves  up  to  the  Indians,  and  liaviiig 
nothing  to  excite  their  cupidity,  they  behaved 
very  kiudly  to  us ;  and  with  them  we  remained 
up  to  the  present  time,  having  never  once  seen  ^ 
vessel  imtil  a  steamer  passed  a  few  days  since, 
but  we  had  no  communication  with  her. 


102  CAPTIVE  BOY  IN  TERRA  DEL  FUEGO. 

"  Our  eternal  gratitude  is  due  to  the  captain 
of  tlie  Meteoro,  who  has  taken  us  on  board,  and 
fed  and  clothed  us. 

"  Our  ship  was  called  the  '  Manchester,'  of 
Kantucket,  Captain  Alexander  Hall  Coffin, 
from  New  York,  bound  for  Valparaiso,  with  a 
cargo  of  coals  and  lumber,  from  the  firm  of 
Cartwright  &  Harrison,  of  New  York.  Saved, 
Thomas  E.  Coflin,  the  captain's  son,  and  Robert 
Wells,  seaman,  of  Boston. 

"  The  commander  of  the  Meteoro  says,  that 
in  his  passage  in  the  Straits,  having  anchored 
in  Port  Gallant  (Fortescue  Bay)  during  the 
night  of  the  2'ith  of  May ;  on  the  25th  several 
Indians  in  canoes  came  alongside,  among  whom 
were  two  Americans,  literally  as  naked  as  them- 
selves. He  took  them  on  board  and  brought 
them  to  Valparaiso,  fulfilling  for  his  part  a 
duty  imposed  on  him  by  Christianity  and  hu- 
manity," 

After  the  foregoing  was  in  type,  Mr.  Seth  B. 
Coffin  kindly  handed  us  the  following  letters 
received  by  liim,  one  from  the  United  States 
Consul  at  Valparaiso,  and  the  other  from  the 
son  of  Captain  Cofi^n : 


CArXIVE   BOY  IN  TERRA  DEL  FUEGO.       193 

"  United  States  Consulate, 

Valparaiso,  June  2d,  1855. 
"Seth  B.  Coffin,  Esq.,  Nantucket. 

"  My  Dear  Sir  :  1  inclose  you  the  following 
letter  of  Thomas  E.  Coffin,  giving  the  melan- 
choly account  of  the  death  of  his  father  and 
mother,  and  the  loss  of  the  ship  '  Manchester,' 
of  New  York,  and  of  his  sufferings  and  perils. 
I  have  only  time  to  say  thafe  he  is  in  good  health, 
and  I  shall  send  him  and  Robert  Wells,  seaman, 
who  was  saved,,  and  has  been  with  him  all  the 
time,  to  Baltimore,  in  the  bark  'Eliza,'  Captain 
Phillips,  who  is  a  kind,  good  man,  and  will  take 
good  care  of  Thomas,  and  who  will  see  that  he 
goes  from  Baltimore  home.  The  bark  will  sail 
in  a  few  days. 

"  In  haste,  very  respectfully, 

"  Geo.  B.  Merwin, 

Consul  of  the  United  States." 
"Valparaiso.  June  20,  1855. 

"  Dear  Cousin  Seth  :  Can  I,  must  I  tell  the 
sad  tale  1  Yes,  I  must.  The  ship  '  Manchester,' 
of  Nantucket,  left  Montevideo  July  28,  1854. 
We  had  very  pleasant  weather  till  .we  got  off 
the  Capes,  then  we  had   an    awful   gale  wliich 


19i      CAPTIVE   BOY  IN  TERRA  DEL  FUEGO. 

lasted  two  weeks,  in  wliicli  time  we  made  very 
little  lieadwaj.  On  the  morning  of  the  28tli 
of  August  we  struck  a  sunken  rock  about  thirty 
miles  from  the  land.  As  soon  as  we  had  struck 
we  sounded  the  pumps,  and  found  she  made 
water  fast.  "We  rigged  them  and  went  to 
pumping,  but  having  coal  in  that  choked  them, 
we  got  the  boats  out,  but  there  being  a  heavy 
sea  running,  they  were  stove  ;  then  there  was  no 
liope  but  the  ship.  Having  lumber  in,  father 
thought  that  she  might  keep  on  the  top  of  the 
water  provided  she  had  her  masts  cut  away, 
which  was  done.  At  three  o'clock  in  the  after- 
noon we  saw  land.  At  nine  o'clock  in  the 
evening  she  was  full  of  water,  and  the  sea  made 
a  clean  breach  over  her.  At  five  o'clock  the 
next  morning  she  went  on  a  reef  close  to  the 
land,  and  being  full  of  water  a  heavy  sea  broke 
her  up  in  twenty  minutes.  Father  and  mother, 
^  tlie  steward,  second  mate,  and  myself  were  in 
the  cabin,  Mr.  Pitman  and  crew  were  on  the 
house,  when  the  mainmast  went  by  the  board, 
carrying  him  and  the  crew  overboard,  and  we 
heard  nothing  more  of  them.  Those  in  the 
cabin  when  the  ship  went  to  pieces  went  down 


CAPTIVE  BOY  IN  TERRA  DEL  FUEGO.       195 

all  among  the  timber,  rocks,  and  kelp.  Father 
liad  his  arm  around  mother,  and  lie  did  not  in- 
tend to  part  with  her,  but  a  rope  or  chain  pass- 
ing between  them,  they  were  separated.  Mother 
never  came  up,  but  lather  and  njyself  arose. 
lie  saw  me  and  said,  '  What  poor  soul  is  that  ? ' 
and  I  replied, '  It  is  Thomas.'  lie  then  told  me  to 
come  to  him,  and  I  did  so,  and  we  got  upon  the 
lumber.  By  and  by  we  saw  the  stern  of  the 
ship  and  got  upon  it,  and  drifted  five  miles  to 
an  island.  Four  days  after  we  were  joined  by 
the  second  mate  and  one  seaman  from  another 
island,  three  miles  from  the  ship.  We  remained 
on  the  island  one  month  ;  in  that  time  father 
made  a  boat,  and  we  went  to  the  island  where 
the  second  mate  came  from.  There  we  found 
provisions  and  some  lumber.  Father  made 
another  boat  larger  than  the  first,  intending  to 
get  to  St.  Carlos,  on  the  island  of  Chiloe,  six 
hundred  miles  from  where  we  were,  but,  alas  I 
he  never  succeeded.  On  the  2d  of  November 
the  second  mate  died  of  consumption.  On  the 
22d  of  the  same  month  some  natives  came  to 
the  island;  we  received  them  with  kindness, 
and   took   them    into  our  house  and   warmed 


190   CAPTIVE  BOY  IN  TERRA  DEL  FUEGO. 

them,  and  gave  them  biscuit  and  water.  Seeing 
the  second  mate's  clothes  they  wanted  them, 
and  we  gave  them  all  but  a  pair  of  pants. 
When  they  were  ready  to  go  we  gave  them 
some  more  bread,  and  they  left  and  went  on  to 
the  top  of  the  hill  'and  deposited  the  clothes. 
One  came  back,  and  father  said,  '  Thomas,  get 
him  a  chunk  of  fire.'  I  did  so ;  but  he  did  not 
want  that ;  he  wanted  more  clothes.  We  gave 
them  the  pants  then,  and  then  the  rest  came 
down  and  wanted  the  clothes  that  were  on  us. 
Father  said,  'You  don't  want  our  clothes,  and 
for  us  to  be  naked  and  cold  V  but  they  were 
treacherous.  Father  saw  it  in  their  eyes,  and 
said,  '  George,  get  a  bolt  and  defend  yourself.' 
Then  I'liad  to  witness  an  awful  scene.  One 
native  tried  to  wrench  the  bolt  tliat  father  had, 
while  two  others  got  on  the  top  of  him,  having 
a  club  hammer,  with  wliich  they  gave  him  an 
awful  blow  over  the  left  eye,  which  knocked  it 
out  and  spilt  his  brains  all  over  his  face.  At 
the  same  time  George  had  three  more  on  him, 
but  he  knocked  two  over.  They  ran  a  spear 
through  the  sleeve  of  my  left  arm.  Seeing 
father  on  the  ground,  I  ran  to  him,  and  tried  to 


CAPTIVE   BOY  IN  TERRA  DEL  FUEGO.       197 

put  liim  into  the  boat,  but  he  was  too  heavy. 
George,  seeing  father  on  the  ground,  said,  '  Take 
me,  take  my  clothes,  but  don't  kill  me."  Said  I, 
'  No,  jump  into  the  boat.'  We  shoved  her  off, 
and  I  jumped  in,  but  he  fell  in  the  water.  The 
natives,  seeing  that  we  were  escaping,  ran  on  a 
point  of  land  and  threw  a  spear  at  me  ;  but  the 
Almight}^  guided  it,  and  it  passed  within  a  few 
inches  of  my  body,  and  struck  in  the  boat  and 
broke  in  pieces  ;  then  George  got  in.  Finding 
that  they  could  not  reach  us  with  spears  they 
began  to  throw  rocks  at  us,  one  of  which  struck 
me  on  the  head,  gave  me  a  gash,  and  the  scar 
of  it  will  remain  through  life.  We  worked  our 
boat  to  another  island  close  to  where  the  ship 
struck,  and  there  was  the  fore  part  of  the  ship 
and  some  canvas,  but  not  a  soul  was  there  or 
any  provisions.  We  made  a  boat's  sail,  and 
after  committing  ourselves  to  the  care  of  the  Al- 
mighty, we  started  back  to  our  island  to  get  the 
bread.  When  we  arrived  there  we  found 
father's  dead  body  stripped  naked.  We  ob- 
tained two  barrels  of  bread,  and  having  got 
them  into  the  boat  we  left  as  quickly  as  possible, 
as  we  didn't  know  but  what  the  natives  might 


198   CAPTIVE  BOY  IN  TERRA  DEL  FUEGO. 

be  concealed.  We  also  left  father's  body  on  the 
rocks.  We  got  back  to  the  hulk,  and  there  we 
remained  till  nearly  all  our  bread  was  out,  wait- 
ing for  a  fair  wind  and  good  weather.  At  last 
they  came,  and  we  started  for  St.  Carlos  with  one 
half  barrel  of  bread.  We  managed  to  get  one 
hundred  miles  along  the  coast.  At  last  our 
provisions  were  out,  and  we  lived  six  weeks  on 
raw  mussels,  berries,  and  roots.  On  the  15th 
of  February,  1855,  we  saw  some  natives,  and 
they  being  friendly  we  gave  ourselves  up  to 
them,  and  remained  with  them  till  May  25, 
1855.  While  living  with  them  we  lived  prin- 
cipally on  a  dead  whale  which  hud  been  buried 
for  months,  and  therefore  was  rank  and  putrid. 
On  the  25th  of  May  we  saw  the  Chilian  brig 
of  war  '  Meteoro,'  Captain  Martinez,  and  were 
brought  to  this  port,  arriving  June  24.  The  con- 
sul has  taken  care  of  me,  and  the  American  cap- 
tains here  are  very  kind  to  me.  We  go  home 
in  the  bark  '  Eliza,'  Captain  Phillips,  of  Bal- 
timore. 

"  This  is  the  account  of  the  awful  tale.  Only 
two  saved  out  of  nineteen :  Robert  Wells, 
called  George  on  board  the  ship,  and  myself; 


CAPTIVE  BOY  IN  TERRA  DEL  FUEGO.   109 

and  I  feel  thankful  to  my  God  for  his  kindness 
in  sparing  my  life.  I  have  fomid  three  letters 
from  home.  Tell  Louisa  to  be  a  good  girl  and 
mind  Aunt  Lydia,  for  now  she  has  no  dear 
father  or  mother.  I  would  write  to  Thaddeus 
and  Aunt  Lydia,  but  the  story  is  too  awful  I 
will  now  bring  this  to  a  close  by  bidding  joii 
good-by. 

"  Please  excuse  all  blunders  and  bad  writing. 
"  Thomas  Edward  Coffin." 

The  interest  felt  by  the  community  in  the 
news  from  the  "Manchester"  was  manifested 
in  part  by  their  deeds,  as  recorded  in  the  follow- 
ing editorial,  which  appeared  in  the  "  Nantucket 
Inquirer : " 

"  Some  weeks  since  we  published  the  account 
of  the  wreck  of  the  ship  '  Manchester '  of  this 
port,  and  noted  the  kindness  and  liberality  of 
the  commander  of  the  Chilian  brigantine  '  Me- 
teoro '  to  the  son  of  Captain  Coffin,  in  paying 
the  savages  the  ransom  promised  by  the  boy, 
and  in  clothing  and  conveying  him  to  the  care 
of  the  American  Consul  at  Valparaiso,  The 
importance  of  the  fulfillment  of  the  obligations 
to  the  barbarous  natives   will  be  particularly 


200       CAPTIVE   BOY  IN  TERRA  DEL  FUEGO. 

appreciated  by  tlic  mariner,  and  possiljly  may 
I  o  the  means  of  rescuing  many  a  shipwrecked 
Baihn-  from  a  cruel  death  or  hopeless  bondage. 
The  owners  of  the  wrecked  ship  appreciated 
the  humanity  of  tlie  commander  of  the  '  Mete- 
oro,'  and  Captain  E.  ^Y.  Gardner,  of  this  town, 
addressed  a  note  to  the  Secretary  of  State  call- 
ins  attention  to  his  noble  conduct ;  but  our 
government  had  previously  instructed  its  min- 
ister to  express  to  the  government  of  Chili  its 
high  appreciation  of  the  kindness  and  humanity 
of  Commander  Martinez  in  rescuing  the  known 
survivors  of  tlie  '  Manchester.' 

"  The  Odd  Fellows'  Lodge  in  this  town,  of 
which  Captain  Coffin  was  a  member,  realizing 
the  peculiar  circumstances  of  the  case,  at  once 
took  measures  to  testify  to  Don  Martinez  their 
appreciation  of  his  services  to  the  cause  of  hu- 
manity, and  especially  to  the  bereaved  son  of  a 
member  of  their  Order.  Accordingly,  suitable 
resolutions  were  adopted,  and  a  beautiful 
pair  of  goblets  procured,  to  be  presented  to 
the  gallant  and  noble-hearted  sailor  as  a 
memento  of  their  appreciation  of  his  obedience 
to  the   dictates  of  an   enlightened   humanity. 


CAPTIVE  BOY  IN  TERRA  DEL  FUEGO.   201 

The  gift  is  inscribed  in  English  and  Spanish, 
as  follows: 

" '  To  Senor  Don  Bun aventura  Martinez,  com- 
mander of  tlie  Chilian  brig-of-war  'Meteoro,' 
from  Nantucket  Lodge,  No.  66,  I.  O.  of  O.  R, 
of  Nantucket,  Mass.,  U.  S.  A.,  as  a  testimonial 
of  their  appreciation  of  his  humanity  to  the  son 
of  their  deceased  brother,  Alexander  H.  Coffin, 
master  of  ship  '  Manchester,'  wrecked  near  Cape 
Horn,  in  about  55  degrees  south  latitude,  on  the 
28th  of  August,  1854.' 

"  The  goblets  are  of  silver,  lined  with  gold, 
and  are  exceedingly  chaste  and  beautiful,  the 
inscription  particularly  well  executed.  We  sub- 
join the  resolutions  adopted  by  the  Lodge  of 
Odd  Fellows  in  this  place  relative  to  Senor 
Martinez : 

"  '  liesolved^  That  humanity  owes  a  debt  of 
gratitude  to  the  gallant  and  noble-hearted  com- 
mander of  the  Chilian  brigantine  '  Meteoro,' 
Don  Bunaventura  Martinez,  for  rescuing  from 
the  savages  the  orphan  son  of  our  lamented 
brother,  Alexander  H.  Coffin  ;  for  fulfilling  the 
promises  of  the  boy  to  the  Indians  ;  for  treating 

him, with  whole-souled  and  parental  kindness, 
13 


202      CAPTIVE   BOY  IN  TEERA  DEL  FUEGO. 

and  for  tenderly  nursing  liiin,  and  placing  the 
bereaved  youth  in  care  of  the  United  States 
Consul  at  Valparaiso. 

" '  Resolved,  That,  keenly  appreciating  the  dis- 
interested nobleness  of  Commander  Martinez,  we 
will  procure  and  present  to  him  some  token,  as 
a  memento  that  we  are  not  forgetful  of  those  who 
.'.  are  so  fully  alive  to  the  claims  of  humanity.' " 
The  goblets  were  forwarded  as  intended,  and 
the  spirit  in  which  they  were  received  may  be 
seen  -fey  the  following  letter,  which  appeared  in 
tliT*'  Nantucket  Inquirer  "  of  June  20,  1856  : 

"  To  THE  Commanders  op  the  Lodge  op  Nantucket,  No.  6G  : 
"Valparaiso,  Aiiril  2(i,  1856. 

"  Gentlemen:  Acknowledging  the  receipt  of 
your  communication  of  the  12th  of  December  of 
1855,  with  the  two  silver  cups  accompanying  it, 
and  which  were  delivered  to  me  in  the  name  of 
your  highly  respectable  Lodge,  I  must  confess 
that  I  was  agreeably  surprised  at  the  high 
honor  which  you  conferred  upon  me.  When 
I  took  charge  of  young  Master  Coffin,  son  of 
the  unfortunate  captain  of  the  bark  '  Manches- 
ter,' wrecked  at  Cape  Horn,  and  bestowed  upon 
him  such  cares  as  my  means  and  situation  per- 


CAPTIVE  BOY  IN  TERRA  DEL  FUEGO.    203 

mitted,  I  can  assure  you  I  considered  that  I 
was  only  complying  with  a  duty  incumbent  on 
every  honest  man,  and  obeying  the  sympathies 
which  the  unfortunate  situation  of  the  young 
man  naturally  inspired. 

"  I  was  well  and  fully  compensated  for  what- 
ever aid  I  gave  him  by  the  satisfaction  I  expe- 
rienced at  having  gained  my  object,  and  in  re- 
lieving him  in  his  unfortunate  condition  ;  and 
never  for  one  moment  did  I  imagine  that  my  pro- 
ceedings toward  him  would  procure  me  the  hon- 
orable demonstration  which  you  have  thought 
proper  to  confer  on  me. 

"  On  the  acceptance  of  your  kind  testimonial, 
I  beg  to  render  a  due  homage  to  your  benev- 
olent feelings,  and  express  to  you  how  highly  I 
esteem  your  kind  appreciation  of  my  proceed- 
ings, the  which  I  consider  as  the  brightest  page 
in  my  nautical  career. 

"  I  have  the  honor  to  subscribe  myself,  gentle- 
men, your  most  obedient  servant, 

"B.  Ventura  Martinez." 


20i       CAl'TIVE   BOY  IN  TER15A  DEL  FUEGO. 


CHAPTER  XL 

TERRA    DEL     FUEGO. 

Man  loves  knowledge,  and  the  beams  of  truth 
More  welcome  touch  his  understaudiug's  eye 
Than  all  the  blandishments  of  sound  his  ear, 
Than  all  of  taslo,  his  tongue. — AmQ^ide. 

One  of  the  objects  in  narrating  the  adventures 
of  the  orphan  boy  who  forms  the  hero  of  these 
pages  was  to  throw  a  little  additional  light  upon 
the  country  in  which  he  was  a  captive,  or,  in 
other  words,  to  add  to  our  small  amount  of 
knowledge  relative  to  Terra  del  Fuego  and  its 
inhabitants. 

S.  G.  Goodrich,  in  his  "  Parley's  Cabinet 
Library,"  dismisses  the  subject  in  these  words : 
"  Of  the  several  Indian  tribes  that  inhabit 
that  large  tract  of  territory  known  by  the 
name  of  Patagonia,  and  which  terminates 
in  the  cold  and  desolate  regions  of  Terra  del 
Fuego,  we  can  give  no  history.  They  are  now, 
as  when  first  discovered,  mere  savages,  and 
have  continued  to  occupy  the  soil  with  little 


CAPTIVE    EOT  IN  TEllEA  DEL  FUEGO.       205 

disturbance  from  Europeans.  Their  country  is 
too  poor  and  repulsive  to  tempt  the  cupidity  of 
civilized  man,  hence  it  has  remained  in  the  pos- 
session of  its  original  masters.  As  they  have 
no  history  worthy  of  remembrance,  so  they 
have  no  means  of  preserving  the  memory  of 
events ;  and  thus,  like  the  leaves  of  the  forest, 
they  live,  pass  away,  and  then  slumber  in 
oblivion  forev/gr." 

The  author  of  "  Lights  and  Shadows  of  Sailor 
Life "  thus  speaks  of  Terra  del  Fuego  as  it 
seemed  to  him  in  1838,  while  he  was  on  board 
one  of  the  vessels  engaged  in  the  Southern 
Exploring  Expedition  in  charge  of  Commodore 
Wilkes:  "At  midnight  of  the  following  day 
we  had  a  partial  view  of  the  rugged  peaks  of 
Terra  del  Fuego,  and  at  eight  o'clock  A.  M. 
entered  the  straits  of  La  Maire.  The  land  here 
presents  rather  a  dreary  appearance ;  the  high 
peaks  on  either  hand  are  covered  with  perpetual 
snow,  although  it  is  midsummer  here." 

This  author  likewise  mentions  that  a  portion 
of  the  party  having  climbed  some  of  the  high 
land  in  that  vicinity,  "  had  also  a  commanding 
view  of  the  bay,  and  an  indistinct  view  of  Staton 


20G   CAPTIVE  BOY  IN  TERRA  DEL  FUEGO. 

Land,  besides  several  small  islands  that  inter- 
spersed the  bay."  As  Thomas  sailed  from  the 
southern  portion  of  Terra  del  Fuego  till  he 
reached  the  Straits  of  Magellan,  still  finding 
islands  all  along  the  path,  he  has  come  to  the  con- 
clusion that  what  has  often  been  regarded  as  one 
island,  and  marked  on  our  maps  as  such,  is  in 
reality  a  large  number  of  islands  of  various  sizes. 

Captain  Bourne,  in  the  "  Captive  in  Patago- 
nia," says :  "  We  next  cast  anchor  in  Saint 
Nicholas  Bay,  a  beautiful  liarbor.  Going  on 
shore,  we  observed  the  names  of  a  number  of 
vessels  that  had  preceded  us  through  the  straits 
carved  upon  trees,  with  the  dates  of  the  several 
inscriptions ;  we  added  our  own  to  the  catalogue. 
Tlicre  were  some  deserted  bush-huts,  probably 
of  Terra  del  Fuegans,  who  frequently  cross  over 
the  straits  in  their  canoes  when  fishing." 

As  Thomas  has  shown  by  his  narrative,  the 
natives  of  Terra  del  Fucgo  visit  the  Patagonia 
side  of  the  Straits  of  Magellan  not  only  for 
lisliing,  but  for  hunting ;  and  it  was  probably  in 
some  of  these  excursions  that  the  "  John,"  and 
others  who  knew  a  little  English,  had  obtained 
their  knowledge. 


CAPTIVE  BOY  IN  TERRA  DEL  FUEGO,   207 

Again  Captain  Bourne  says :  "  As  we  beat 
up  Crooked  Reach,  and  passed  the  end  of  Carlos 
III.  Islands,  we  discovered  a  white  flag  flying 
on  the  Terra  del  Fuegan  shore.  Thinking  it 
might  be  the  signal  of  some  white  people 
who  had  been  shipwrecked,  we  stood  over  into 
the  opposite  channel,  near  enough  to  see 
Indians  and  their  canoes  on  the  beach,  ready 
to  pay  us  a  visit.  We  hove  about,  having 
no  desire  to  make  their  acquaintance,  and 
anchored  toward  night  in  the  beautiful  Borga 
bay  opposite." 

Would  it  not  have  been  better  if  that  ship 
had  taken  still  further  precautions  to  learn  the 
cause  of  the  appearance  of  the  white  flag  ?  Per- 
haps sonie  shipwrecked  captive,  so  long  among 
the  Indians  that  at  a  distance  he  might  seem 
like  one  of  them,  was  hoping,  like  Thomas,  for 
the  ship  to  tarry  long  enough  for  him  to  escape. 
One  would  think  that  the  mockery  of  his  pre- 
cious hopes,  when  he  saw  a  vessel  receding  in  a 
similar  manner  while  he  was  a  captive,  would 
have  taught  him  a  better  lesson  than  to  leave 
without  being  sure  that  no  civilized  being  had 
hoisted  that  flag,  if  his  pleadings  could   have 


208      CAPTIVE   BOY  IX  TEKKA  DEL  FUEGO. 

availed  with  the  commander  of    the  vessel   in 
wliich  he  was  sailing. 

The  natives  of  Terra  del  Fuego,  like  those  of 
Patagonia,  are  exceedingly  fond  of  wearing  what 
they  consider  ornaments,  in  the  shape  of  pieces 
of  copper,  brass,  and  the  like,  suspended  from 
their  necks.  Thomas  saw  one  of  them  thus 
X)rnamented  with  a  dime,  and  another  with  a 
cent. 

The  men  paint  or  bedaub  their  faces  witli  a 
kind  of  red  earth.  Charcoal  is  used  as  a  cos- 
metic. A  broad  line  of  red,  alternating  with  a 
stripe  of  black  in  various  fantastic  figures,  is  a 
favorite  style  of  decoration. 

The  women  rub  their  faces  with  somethinij 
like  lime,  in  order,  as  they  say,  to  cleanse  them. 

The  natives  are  all  short  in  stature,  and  rather 
stout,  differing  so  essentially  from  the  Patago- 
nians  as  to  mark  them  a  distinct  tribe. 

The  women  seemed  to  Thomas  to  have  more 
energy  than  the  men.  In  hunting  birds  or 
goats,  or  in  fishing,  they  were  quite  as  success- 
ful as  their  male  companions,  and  in  many 
things  seemed  to  be  the  dictators  rather  thaii 
the  slaves  of  the  men.    Their  maternal  instincts 


CArXIVE  BOY  IN  TERRA  DEL  FUEGO,   209 

did  not  seem  very  strong ;  at  least,  wlieu  the 
children  would  cry  for  food,  the  mother  as  often 
gave  them  a  severe  blow  as  the  food  they  de- 
sired. If  the  father  punished  one,  and  the  child 
crawled  to  the  mother  as  if  for  protection,  that 
mother  would  show  her  regard  for  the  system 
of  co-operation,  whether  the  child  was  to  blame 
or  not,  by  striking  it  again. 

The  women  had  very  little  modesty,  and 
Thomas  was  frequently  urged  to  take  a  wife 
among  them;  but  his  abhorreijoe  of  such  a 
course  was  only  equaled  by  his  disgust  for  their 
filthy  persons,  and  he  resolutely  declined  all 
such  proposals. 

The  boys  of  the  tribe  were  very  sauoy  to  l^im, 
regarding  him  as  the  slave  of  their  parents,  and 
therefore  a  proper  object  of  scorn  and  abuse. 
One  day,when  they  had  worn  his  patience  thread- 
bare by  pelting  him  with  rocks,  he  retorted 
by  a  threat  that  he  would  use  the  "corchee- 
na,"  as  they  termed  J^  knife,  across  their  throats. 
They  understood  his  signs,  and  from  that  day 
ceased  to  throw  stones  at  him. 

Thomas  observed  no  insects  in  Terra  del 
Fuego  but  the  vermin  that  infested  the  filthy 


210   CAPTIVE  BOY  IN  TERRA  DEL  FUEGO. 

bodies  of  the  whole  tribe.  To  relieve  them- 
selves of  such  company  when  they  become  too 
numerous  for  comfort,  they  use  a  comb  made 
out  of  the  lower  jaw  of  a  seal. 

If  these  natives  had  anything  wliicli  could 
be  called  religion,  it  wa*s  scarcely  perceptible  to 
Thomas.  Their  morals  were  far,  very  far  below 
the  Christian  standard.  The  only  ceremony 
which  he  observed  was  that  the  Indian  men 
would  go  into  their  huts  and  commence  a  whin- 
ing, monotonous  sound,  like  "  uah,  uah,"  con- 
tinuing it  for  a  long  period.  Their  wives  would 
place  their  food  near  them  when  they  wished  to 
eat.  Sometimes  one  would  go  up  in  a  tree  and 
make  a  harsh  singing  noise  for  a  while,  then 
come  down  and  throw  stones  and  sand  violently 
at  the  huts. 

Twice  while  Thomas  was  with  them  the 
women  also  had  such  an  assembly  as  the  men, 
with  tlie  same  monotonous  chant ;  but  whether 
they  were  worshiping,  or  if  so,  whether  they 
bowed  to  a  good  or  evil  spirit,  Thomas  had  no 
means  of  ascertaining,  as  his  knowledge  of  their 
language  was  very  imperfect.  One  day  the 
natives  seemed  to   eat  a  quantity  of  poui^dcd 


CAPTIVE   BOY  IN  TERRA  DEL  FUEGO,       211 

glass,  and  then  pointed  upward,  and  after  a  few 
other  ceremonies  buried  a  tootli  of  a  seal. 

They  also  have  a  custom  in  smoking  similar 
to  that  of  the  Patagonians.  Their  vessel  for 
water  is  made  of  bark,  instead  of  hide,  and 
placed  on  the  ground  in  the  center  of  the  circle 
which  they  form.  Their  pipe  is  then  filled,  and 
the  company  then  lie  down  with  their  backs  to 
the  center,  without  drawing  their  seal-skin  man- 
tles over  them  as  the  Patagonians  do.  The 
pipe  is  lighted,  and  first  one  and  then  another 
inhales  as  much  smoke  as  he  can  swallow,  till 
all  are  satisfied.  One  by  one  they  begin  groan- 
ing and  shaking  till  the  smoke  slowly  passes  out 
of  their  nostrils.  Then  they  drink  a  little 
water,  and  after  a  little  silence  they  rise  and  dis- 
perse. Whether  this  was  a  religious  ceremony 
or  not  Thomas  could  not  determine. 

As  was  remarked  before,  the  life  of  these 
natives  is  mainly  spent  in  searching  for  food. 
In  the  winter  season  they  inhabit  the  more 
northern  islands,  but  in  summer  they  roam  about, 
as  we  have  seen.  Their  life  must  be  far  from 
comfortable  even  to  themselves,  who  might  be 
supposed  to  be  inured  to  it.     To  Thomas  it 


212   CAPTIVE  BOY  IN  TERRA  DEL  FUEGO. 

was  almost  unendurable.  He  could  adopt  the 
language  of  his  brother  captive,  Captain  Bourne, 
with  very  little  change :  "  To  live  without  any 
change  of  dress,  to  sleep  without  any  additional 
covering,  protected  from  the  cold  ground  only  by 
a  fragment  of  seal-skin,  and  the  other  discomforts 
and  exposures  of  life  among  the  savages,  made 
altogether  a  harsh  contrast  to  the  comforts  of 
our  good  ship." 

One  paragraph  in  the  "  Captive  in  Patagonia  " 
requires  a  little  comment.  Captain  Bourne 
says :  "  One  of  them  (the  natives)  had  a  deep 
scar  on  his  breast,  which  he  said  was  the  mark 
of  an  arrow-shot  received  from  the  '  Tamascho- 
ner '  Indians,  a  tribe  that  use  the  bow  and 
arrow.  His  description  suggested  the  prob- 
ability that  these  were  the  Terra  del  Fuego 
Indians ;  but,  on  mentioning  the  conjecture  at 
a  later  period  to  a  person  I  met  in  the  Chilian 
penal  settlement,  he  informed  me  that  those 
islanders  invariably  Q\\oot 2>oiso7ied  arrows,  which 
would  not  leave  the  victim  much  leisure  to  de- 
scribe their  effect." 

But  Thomas  thinks  the  Chilian  must  have 
been  mistaken,  as  he  several  times  saw  the  pro- 


\ 


CAPTIVE  BOY  IN  TERRA  DEL  FUEGO.       213 

cess  of  making  arrows,  and  never  saw  anything 
placed  upon  them;  nor  can  he  imagine  from 
whence  they  could  obtain  the  poison,  as  noth- 
ing was  pointed  out  to  him  as  improper  to 
touch  or  to  eat.  The  probability  is  that  the 
natives  of  Terra  del  Fuego,  though  cruel  and 
bloodthirsty  enough,  as  Thomas  had  reason  to 
know,  are  yet  not  so  depraved  and  malicious  as 
the  Patagonians. 

It  is  hoped  that  future  years  may  see  the 
spread  of  truth  and  light  even  to  those  remote 
regions;  and  that  no  human  being  may  ever  be 
called,  on  those  inhospitable  shores,  to  suffer 
as  much  of  the  hardest,  saddest  discipline  of 
life  as  did  the  orphan  boy  who  was  a  captive 
in  Terra  del  Fueijo. 


,/' 


214       CAPTIVE   BOY  IN  TERRA  DEL  FUEGO. 


CHAPTER  XII. 

MORE    ABOUT   TERRA  DEL  FUEGO. 

"  Isles  of  the  South,  awake  I 

The  song  of  triumph  sing ; 
Let  mount,  and  hill,  and  vale, 

With  halleluiahs  ring: 
Shout,  for  the  idol's  overthrown, 
And  Israel's  God  is  God  alone." 

It  is  deemed  proper  to  append  to  this  narrative 
of  life  among  the  Terra  del  Fuegans  a  scientific 
account  of  the  archipelago,  as  given  by  R.  S. 
Fisher,  M.  D.,  in  Colton's  "Atlas  of  the  World," 
a  work  compiled  from  the  most  authentic  sources 
and  published  in  1855.  Dr.  Fisher  there  states : 
"  Terra  del  Fuego  is  the  name  given  to  the 
extensive  group  of  islands  or  archipelago  lying 
south  of  the  Straits  of  Magalhaens,  and  forming 
tlie  southern  extremity  of  South  America.  It 
is  situate  between  latitudes  52°  30'  and  55°  59', 
and  longitudes  63°  40'  and  75°  07'  west  from 
Greenwich,  or  1°  55'  and  18°  22'  east  from 
Washington.     On  the  north  it  is  sej^arated  from 


CAPTIVE  BOY  IN  TERRA  DEL  FUEGO.   215 

the  main  land  of  America  by  the  long  and 
intricate  Strait  of  Magalhaens ;  while  its  other 
sides  are  washed  by  three  great  oceans— the 
Atlantic  on  the  east,  the  Pacific  on  the  west, 
and  the  Antarctic  on  the  sonth.  Besides  num- 
berless small  islands,  of  which  Cape  Horn,  at  its 
southern  extremity,  may  be  mentioned  as  one  of 
the  most  remarkable,  it  consists  of  one  very 
large  island.  Eastern  Terra  del  Fuego,  or  King 
Charles's  South  Land,  measuring  east  and  west, 
near  its  south  shore,  five  hundred  miles,  with  a 
maximum  breadth,  north  and  south,  of  three 
hundred  miles ;  and  of  four  much  smaller,  but 
still  very  considerable  islands,  Navanno  and 
lloste  on  the  south,  separated  from  Eastern 
Terra  del  Fuego  by  Beagle  Channel,  and  Clar- 
ence and  De  Tola  on  the  west. 

The  whole  of  these  islands  are  penetrated 
deeply  by  arms  of  the  sea,  which  give  them  the 
most  irregular  shapes,  and  are  almost  entirely 
composed  of  mountains  of  clay  slate,  greenstone, 
and  granite.  These  mountains  are  eithei*  covered 
witli  perpetual  ice  and  snow,  (which  has  here  its 
limit  at  about  four  thousand  feet,  while  many  of 
their  summits  exceed  five  thousand  feet,  and 


21G       CAniVE   BOY  IN  TERRA  DEL  FUEGO. 

Monte  Sanniento,  in  the  southwest  part  of  tlie 
largest  island,  supposed  to  be  the  culminating 
point,  has  an  elevation  of  six  thousand  seven 
hundred  and  ninety-eight  feet,)  or  are  clothed 
with  stunted  forests,  chiefly  of  beech,  growing 
out  of  a  swampy  peat,  apparently  almost  the 
only  kind  of  soil  in  this  region,  and  which  be- 
yond one  thousand  to  fifteen  hundred  feet,  where 
the  trees  cease  to  grow,  becomes  covered  with 
minute  alpine  plants. 

The  term  Land  of  Desolation,  which  Cook  ap- 
plied to  the  larger  western  island,  is  strictly  ap- 
plicable to  the  whole  group ;  and  yet  the  scenes, 
when  mountain  is  seen  rising  behind  mountain, 
witli  deep  intervening  valleys  all  covered  by  a 
thick,  dusky  mass  of  forest,  is  not  without  a 
degree  of  mysterious  grandeur.  At  times  two 
magnificent  glaciers,  of  beryl-like  blue,  in  fine 
contrast  with  the  white  expanse  of  snow,  are 
seen  descending  from  the  mountain  sides  to  the 
water's  edge.  The  climate  is  one  of  the  most 
wi-etched  which  it  is  possible  to  imagine.  Fog, 
rain,  and  snow,  accompanied  either  with  con- 
tinued storms,  or  violent  and  sudden  gusts  of 
wind,  follow  each  other  in  constant  succession. 


CAPTIVE  BOY  IN  TERRA  DEL  FUEGO.   217 

Ncvertlieloss  tliis  kind  of  climate,  uncongenial 
as  it  is  to  plants  of  warmer  latitudes,  is  far  from 
being  unfavorable  to  native  vegetation ;  and 
hence,  in  some  places,  large  woody-stemmed 
trees  of  fuscliia  and  veronica,  which  in  the 
United  States  are  treated  as  tender  plants,  are 
seen  in  full  flower  not  far  from  the  base  of  a 
mountain  with  two  thirds  of  its  height  covered 
with  snow,  and  with  the  temperature  at  36° 
Fahrenheit.  The  only  other  vegetable  produc- 
tion particularly  deserving  of  notice  is  a  glob- 
ular fungus  of  a  bright  yellow  color,  and  the 
size  of  a  small  apple.  It  adheres  in  vast  num- 
bers to  the  bark  of  the  beach-trees,  "When 
young  it  is  elastic  and  turgid  with  moisture; 
but  after  fructification  it  acquires  a  mucilagin- 
ous and  slightly  sweet  taste.  In  this  state  it  is 
eaten  by  the  natives  uncooked,  and  forms  a 
staple  article  of  food,  being,  with  the  addition 
of  a  few  berries  of  the  dwarf  arbutus,  the  only 
vegetable  of  which  they  partake.  Another  re- 
markable vegetable  production  is  a  seaweed 
called  fucus  giganieus,  which,  though  not  con- 
fined to  this  group,  is  here  particularly  abundant, 

forming  great  aquatic  forests,  and   furnishing 
14 


218   CAPTIVE  BOY  IN  TERRA  PEL  FUEGO. 

the  haunts  of  innumerable  species  of  shellfish, 
but  for  which  the  race  of  Fuegans  could  scarcely 
exist. 

The  zoology  of  the  group,  however,  is  very 
scanty.  Besides  cetacea  and  phocse,  the  only 
mammalia  are  but  three  species  of  mice,  the  fox, 
sea-otter,  guanaco,  and  deer.  Birds,  particularly 
sea-fowl,  are  numerous;  and  even  humming- 
birds have  been  seen  sipping  the  sweets  of  flowers 
after  two  or  three  days  of  constant  rain,  snow, 
and  sleet,  during  which  the  thermometer  had 
been  at  the  freezing  point. 

The  natives  of  the  northeast  part  of  Ter- 
ra del  Fuego  resemble  the  Patagonians  in 
color  and  stature.  Those  of  tlie  southeast 
portion  are  low  in  stature,  ill-looking,  and  badly 
proportioned.  Their  color  is  that  of  very  old 
mahogany,  or  rather  between  dark  copper  and 
bronze.  The  trunk  of  the  body  is  large  in  pro- 
portion to  their  cramped  and  rather  crooked 
limbs.  Rough,  coarse,  and  extremely  dirty, 
their  black  hair  half  hides,  yet  lieightens  a  vil- 
lainous expression  of  the  worst  description  of 
savage  features.  The  women  are  short,  about 
four  feet  seven  inches,  with  bodies  also  largely 


CAPTIVE  BOY  IN  TERRA  DEL  FUEGO.       219 

out  of  proportion  to  tlieir  height ;  and  their 
features,  especially  those  of  the  old,  are  'most 
repulsive.  Their  only  clothing  is  a  scanty 
covering  of  guanaco  or  seal-skin.  In  their  habits 
they  are  most  filthy,  and  in  feeding  gross  and 
uncleanly ;  the  most  offensive  substances  being 
eaten  in  a  state  of  putridity.  They  are,  like 
most  other  savages,  extravagant  mimics,  imitat- 
ing all  sorts  of  sounds  and  motions  with  marvel- 
ous and  most  amusing  fidelity. 

Their  huts  are  generally  found  close  to  the 
shore,  at  the  head  of  some  small  bay,  sheltered 
from  the  prevailing  winds.  They  are  built  of 
boughs  of  small  trees  stuck  into  the  earth,  and 
brought  together  at  the  top,  where  they  are 
firmly  bound  by  bark,  sedge,  and  twigs.  The 
usual  dimensions  of  these  huts  are  seven  or  eight 
feet  in  diameter,  and  about  four  or  five  feet  in 
height,  having  an  oval  hole  to  creep  in  at.  Tlie 
fire  is  built  in  a  small  excavation  in  the  middle 
of  the  hut.  The  floor  is  of  clay,  which  has  the 
appearance  of  having  been  well  kneaded. 

Terra  dS^Fuego,  in  common  with  Patagonia, 
was  discovered  by  Magalhaens  in  1519,  and  in 
consequence  of  the  number  of  fires  seen  along 


220     CArnvE  boy  in  terra  del  fuego. 

the  shores  by  that  navigator  was  so  named. 
Anglicized,  the  name  signifies  "  Land  of  Fire." 
There  is  no  possibility  of  ascertaining  even  an 
approximate  enumeration  of  the  inhabitants  of 
this  group  ;  but  analogically  it  is  presumed  to  be 
small. 

Professor  Arnold  Guyot,  in  his  "  Earth  and 
Man,"  after  commenting  on  the  hideous  ugli- 
ness of  the  South  American  Indians,  closes  thus 
disadvantageouslyto  Thomas's  captors :  "Final- 
ly, at  the  extreme  point  of  the  continent,  and 
in  Terra  del  Fuego,  live  the  Pecherays,  the 
most  misshapen,  the  farthest  from  any  culture, 
the  most  wretched,  of  all  the  inhabitants  of  the 
New  World." 

A  writer.,  in  Harper's  Monthly  for  Jajiuary, 
18G4,  gives  an  interesting  account  of  his  visit  to 
Terra  del  Fuego  in  the  year  1855,  some  six 
months  after  the  escape  of  Thomas  and  George. 
He  says  that  he  came  away  with  favorable  im- 
])ressions  of  the  Fuegians,  except  one  tribe, 
which  had  to  be  carefully  watched,  and  whoso 
people,  since  his  visit,  have  massacred  the  captain 
and  crew  of  the  very  vessel  he  then  commanded. 
Very  possibly  this  cruel  and  bloodthirsty  tribe 


■  CAPTIVE  KOY  IN  TEERA  DEL  FUEGO.   221 

was  the  one  by  whose  hands  Captain  Coffin  was 
slain.  And  the  better  class  of  Fnegians  may 
liave  been  some  of  the  tribe  with  whom  Thomas 
was  a  captive. 

This  writer  says :  "  The  first  place  I  called  at 
and  communicated  with  the  natives  was  at 
Picton's  Island.  Here  several  canoes  came 
alongside,  and  then  my  acquaintance  with  the 
Fuegians  commenced. 

"  The  men  were  fine,  powerful  looking  fellows, 
each  in  a  state  of  savage  nudity;  but  their 
wild  hair  and  dirty  and  repulsive-looking  bodies 
needed  some  previous  acquaintance  with  such 
beings  to  admit  of  any  near  approach.  The 
women,  throughout  that  and  every  after  inter- 
view, behaved  in  a  manner  that  struck  me  as 
being  very  extraordinary  for  savages.  The 
modesty  of  their  conduct  was  very  remark- 
able, and  nothing  could  induce  them  to  come 
on  deck.  One  of  the  women  was  tolerably 
good-looking.  She  had  a  baby  with  her,  and 
was  most  winning  in  her  manner  when  she 
asked  us  to  give  her  baby  some  presents.  She 
was  much  attached  to  her  child,  even  as  I 
found  all  of  the  Fuegian  mothers  were ;  and  I 


222       CAPTIVE   BOY  IN  TERRA  DEL  FUEGO. 

feel  certain  that  to  attempt  taking  any  of  those 
younger  children  away,  on  any  pretewse  what- 
ever, is  wrong  in  the  extreme. 

"  The  men,  directly  they  came  on  deck,  were 
clothed  by  ns,  but  evidently  they  did  nut  like 
such  confinement  of  their  limbs.  One  would 
insist  on  changing  everything  to  exautly  the 
contrary  way;  another  would  put  a  blanket 
round  his  shoulders  instead  of  his  body.  Toys, 
beads,  and  especially  necklaces  and  gilt  orna- 
ments, were  eagerly  sought  for.  They  did  not 
like  a  looking-glass  when  shown  to  them,  but 
the  music  of  a  concertina  delighted  them  exceed- 
ingly. Strange  to  say,  I  found  all  of  the  Fuegians 
I  met  wdth  very  honest  in  harter,  though  arrant 
thieves  in  regular  stealing. 

"  The  first  visit  I  paid  them  on  shore  was  by 
myself  to  their  wigwams,  at  some  distance  oflf 
among  the  trees.  I  walked  toward  their  dwell- 
ings, and  was  soon  seated  on  a  log  of  wood 
amid  the  whole  family,  men,  women,  and  chil- 
dren. Their  ferret-like  dogs,  however,  were  very 
troublesome  to  me;  but  the  men  seeing  how  I 
was  annoyed,  drove  them  away.  Then  we  be- 
gan  one  of  those   scenes   I    had    often    before 


CAPTIVE   BOY  IN  TERliA  DEL  FUEGO.       223 

indulged  in  when  visiting  wild  lands.  I  talked, 
I  sang,  I  lauglied,  and  danced  with  them  to 
their  heart's  content  for  inviting  me  to  their 
wigwam.  I  was  placed  at  once  in  a  post  of 
honor,  and  far — so  far  as  could  be — from  the  in- 
tolerable smoke  of  their  fire.  At  no  time  would 
thej  allow  any  of  our  party  inside  their  wig- 
wam but  myself  and  a  companion.  Gener- 
ally an  old  woman  and  some  of  the  men  placed 
themselves  at  the  door,  to  prevent  any  of  my 
crew  from  entering. 

"  Inside  of  this  wigwam  I  found  about  twenty- 
two  persons  squatting  round  the  fire.  Some  of 
the  women  and  girls  were  marked  with  red  and 
black  ochre,  and  one  woman  would  have  been 
handsome  if  washed.  All  the  females  wore 
girdles,  and  some  had  skins  on  their  shoulders 
and  waists.  Their  friendly  mode  of  salutation 
was  anything  but  agreeable.  The  men  came  and 
gave  me  a  hug,  very  much  like  the  gripe  of  a  bear. 
I  felt  as  if  squeezed  in  a  vice.  .  .  .  The  Fue- 
gians  did  not  seem  to  me  so  dwarfish  as  often 
represented.  A  few  I  measured  were  each  over 
five  feet  three  inches,  and  I  believe  some  reach 
five  feet  seven.     I  may  mention   that  I  had  a 


224       CAPTIVE   BOY  IN  TERRA  DEL  FUEGO. 

difficulty  in  measuring  them,  owing  to  tlicir  con- 
stant endeavors  to  steal  tlie  tape  out  of  my 
hands.  Another  thing  I  noticed  was,  that  man}"- 
of  the  Fuegians  on  the  eastern  islands  were 
fine  men,  and  some  of  them  even  handsome 
fellows.  ... 

"  My  own  opinion  was  that  the  Fuegian  is  a 
creature  of  circumstances,  even  more  than  most 
wild  men  are.  The  wretchedly  moist  and  cold 
weather,  with  the  high  broken  land  on  which 
he  lives,  make  him  deficient  in  those  bolder  and 
nobler  qualities  -to  be  found  among  savages  in 
more  bracing  countries.  .  .  .  Their  habits  are 
of  the  most  primitive  kind ;  and  their  dwellings 
on  the  eastern  part  of  Terra  del  Fuego,  are  the 
conical  wigwam,  built  from  branches  of  trees 
over  a  hollowed  space  of  ground.  On  the 
western  parts  their  habitations  are  somewhat 
different.  They  reside  in  families ;  are  very 
fond  of  their  children  ;  subsist  principally  upon 
shellfish  and  i\\Q  edible  fungus,  and  are  remark- 
ably expert  with  their  slings.  I  believe  they 
have  a  sort  of  property  right  among  them,  and 
I  have  seen  one  of  the  oldest  women  exercising 
authority  over  the  rest  of  her  people.     On  one 


CAPTIVE   BOY  IN  TERRA  DEL  FUEGO.       225 

occasion,  wishing  to  buy  a  canoe,  it  was  refused 
me  on  the  ground  tliat  it  belonged  to  her  and 
she  would  not  part  with  it.  They  have  a  wiz- 
ardman  among  them,  who  also  seemed  to  have 
some  authority.  They  are  loud  and  furious 
talkers,  and  1  soon  found  it  was  impossible  in 
any  ordinary  way  to  get  myself  listened  to. 
Accordingly  I  would  now  and  then  take  my 
speaking  trumpet  and  shout  louder  than  they. 
This  generally  answered.  It  made  them  de- 
lighted with  my  supposed  skill,  and  it  showed 
them  that  the  white  man  could  be  equal  to 
themselves.  In  fact  it  was  necessary  so  to  do. 
In  their  rude  state,  wild  men  often  fancy  them- 
selves our  superiors  in  many  things ;  and  to 
rightly  deal  with  them  we  must  show  that  we 
can  hunt,  fish,  talk,  sing,  dance,  and  endure 
hardship  as  well  as  they.  That  the  Fuegians 
must  be  hardy,  is  proved  by  the  fact  that  they 
experience  so  much  cold,  and  yet  wear  no  cover- 
ing on  their  bodies.  The  only  thing  they  do  to 
keep  warmth  is  to  rub  themselves  over  with 
grease  and  ochreous  earth.  In  their  wigwams 
they  huddle  round  tflfcj^fire,  but  owing  to  the 
smoke  their  eyes  are  always  sore." 


22G       CAPTIVE  BOY  IN  TERRA  DEL  FUEQO. 

Tlie  above  writer  records  an  attempt  to  Chris- 
tianize and  instruct  four  Fuegians,  three  males 
and  one  female,  who  were  taken  to  Eng-land  in 
the  "  Beagle  "  at  the  time  of  the  British  sur- 
vey under  Captain  Fitzroy.  Three  of  these 
Fuegians  were  returned  (one  having  died)  to 
their  native  land  after  the  lapse  of  three  years, 
during  which  time  two  of  them  had  been  in  a 
school  near  London.  None  of  them  were  over 
nineteen,  and  the  girl  about  fifteen. 

But  the  instruction  they  had  received  was  in- 
sufficient to  make  them  civilized  in  their  future 
conduct.  They  manifested  the  same  cupidity, 
and  were  soon  reduced  to  the  same  state  of  filth 
and  savageness  with  their  countrymen.  The 
experiment  was  a  failure. 

An  effort  to  Christianize  these  natives  in 
their  own  inhospitable  country  also  proved  in 
vain.  A  captain  in  the  English  navy,  Allen 
Gardiner  by  name,  a  man  of  faith  and  prayer, 
•was  zealous  for  their  conversion  to  Christianity, 
and  ventured  his  life  among  them,  in  order  to 
lead  them  to  Jesus.  He  went  to  Terra  del 
Fuego  in  1850 — "taking  two  boats,  a  surgeon, 
a  lay  teacher,  a  carpenter,  and  four  fishermen 


CAPTIVE  BOY  IN  TERRA  DEL  FUEGO.   227 

from  Cornwall,  witli  six  months  provisions. 
These  were  landed  at  the  place  he  desired ;  hnt 
unfortunately  their  powder  was  forgotten,  and 
their  dependence  had  to  be  upon  the  stores 
hrouglit  out,  besides  the  hope  of  another  sup- 
ply (never  furnished)  coming  to  them. 

"  The  first  week  foreshadowed  the  terrible 
result  of  this  singular  attempt  at  converting  the 
Fuegians.  Terror  took  possession  of  them  when 
the  natives  came  around.  In  their  two  small 
boats  they  fled  from  place  to  place.  Hero, 
there,  and  everywhere  along  the  outer  coast 
they  hurried  on,  seeking  for  some  shelter  where 
they  could  rest  secure.  In  vain !  That  rocky, 
tempest-driven  coast,  what  long-voyage  manner 
knows  it  not  by  dangerous  repute  ?  And  yet, 
upon  its  outer  seaboard,  or  among  its  wild  islets, 
did  this  band  of  zealous  men  travei*se  in  their 
frail  skiffs.  At  length  they  were- obliged  to 
return  to  the  place  where  they  first  landed. 
But  now  they  were  not  far  from  starvation  ;  and 
still  no  ship  came  to  their  relief.  Accordingly, 
they  wrote  upon  the  rocks,  axxd  buried  in  bot- 
tles, under  marked  trees,  a  few  words  telling  of 
their  fearful  state. 


22S      CAPTIVE   UOY  IN  TEllKA  DEL  FUEGO. 

" '  Hasten !  haste !  We  are  starving !  "We  are 
starving ! '  is  what  the  rocks  displayed  in  letters 
large  and  broad.  But  their  agonizing  appeal 
was  in  vain  !  No  human  eye  of  civilized  lite 
beheld  their  appeal  till  too  late;  and  tlie  only 
hope  of  reaching  the  more  distant  dwelling  of 
Jemmy  Button's  *  tribe,  should  he  chance  to 
be  alive,  was  frustrated  by  the  damage  to  their 
boats,  and  the  fear  of  numerous  bodies  of  fierce 
natives  on  the  way.  Finally,  this  ill-starred 
party  went  to  a  place  called  '  Spaniards'  Har- 
bor,' and  there,  one  by  one,  died  from  sheer 
starvation  !  The  journals  kept  by  the  captain  and 
doctor  were  afterward  found,  and  the  record  dis- 
closed a  tale  of  sufiering  horrible  in  the  extreme. 

"  For  days  and  weeks  did  they  live  upon  dead, 
cast  up  fish,  weed,  a  few  mice  discovered,  (whi(;h 
were  a  great  luxury,)  garden  seeds,  etc.  Leather 
straps,  boots,  and  such  like  were  gnawed  by  the 
hungry  mouths,  until  at  last  one  after  the  other 
gave  way.  When  two  had  died  the  rest  were  so 
enfeebled  as  to  be  hardly  capable  of  burying 
thciii.  Tlie  carpenter  scooped  out  a  shallow 
grave,  but  it  took  a  day's  labor  to  do  it.     He 

*  One  of  tliG  uativcs  once  hi  Eugland. 


CAPTIVE  BOY  IN  TEREA  DEL  FUEGO.   229 

died  next,  and  tlie  lay -teacher  covered  liiin  over. 
Then  two  more  sank  to  rest,  but  no  one  conld 
bury  them ;  and  when  the  place  was  afterward 
visited  their  bodies  and  bones  were  found 
waslied  about  in  the  sand.  Three  were  now 
left,  the  captain,  doctor,  and  lay-teacher.  But 
they  were  not  together.  Doctor  Williams  and 
some  of  the  men  had  kept  in  one  broken  boat 
on  the  beach  ;  and  Captain  Gardiner,  with  the 
teacher,  a  mile  away  in  the  other  wrecked  boat. 
Thus,  when  and  how  the  doctor  died  was  never 
known.  As  for  the  captain,  it  appears  that  he 
died  in  the  boat,  while  the  teacher  perished  in 
a  cave  close  by.  .  .  . 

"  When  too  late,  a  vessel  was  sent  to  see  what 
had  become  of  the  party.  Singularly,  it  was  an 
American  schooner  from  Montevideo.  Captaiji 
Smyley,  an  old  South  Sea  sealer,  had  command, 
and  on  arriving  at  Spaniard's  Harbor  lie  relates 
that  'the  sight  was  awful  in  the  extreme. 
Books,  papers,  medicine,  clothing,  and  tools 
strewed  along  the  beach,  and  on  the  boat's  deck 
and  cuddy,  but  no  sign  of  any  edge  tools  what- 
ever. The  boat  was  on  the  beach  with  one  per- 
son dead  inside,  and  another  on  the  beach  com- 


230   CAPTIVE  BOY  IN  TERRA  DEL  FUEGO. 

pletely  washed  to  pieces,  and  another  buried.' 
Thej  called  tlie  place  Starvation  Bay." 

Thus  ended  a  sincere,  but  ill-managed  attempt 
to  Christianize  these  outcasts  of  the  world.  Yet 
the  effort  might  possibly  have  terminated  more 
favorably  had  the  powder  been  remembered, 
and  the  supply  of  food  been  sure.  'No  Christian 
heart  need  be  discouraged  at  these  successive 
failures.  The  promise  is  sure  :  "Ask  of  me  and 
I  will  give  thee  the  heathen  for  thine  inherit- 
ance, and  the  uttermost  parts  of  the  earth  for 
thy  possession." 

The  time  will  come  when  even  these  outcast 
Fuegians  will  be  "  clothed  and  in  their  right 
mind,"  sitting  at  the  feet  of  Jesus.  The  remem- 
brance of  what  has  been  accomplished  by  faith- 
ful and  untirino;  Christian  effort  in  "  shiverino: 
Greenland"  and  cannibal  Fiji  is  an  encourage- 
ment to  hope  and  labor.  The  contrast  of  our 
rude,  idolatrous  Saxon  ancestors,  observing  their 
Druidical  rights  and  savage  customs,  with  the 
present  noble  representatives  of  Christian  cul- 
ture in  all  lands,  is  an  incentive  to  effort  in 
behalf  of  these  benighted  natives  of  Terra  del 
Fuego. 


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